The BC Coroners Service published its latest report on illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province, and it appears the numbers are going up.
According to the report, an average of 3.2 deaths occurred every day in the first four months of the year. The illicit drug toxicity totals for March and April saw 112 and 117 deaths respectively, the first time BC recorded back-to-back months with over 100 deaths since November and December of 2018.
“We remain in a public health emergency, with more than three British Columbians dying each day from illicit drug toxicity deaths,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner. “Illicit drug toxicity death rates in B.C. are still the highest for any jurisdiction in Canada. Every region in B.C. has been impacted.
So far this year, there have been 382 illicit drug deaths. The townships experiencing the most deaths include Vancouver with 90, Surrey with 48, and Victoria with 28. Kelowna has had 19 overdose deaths in 2020 while Kamloops has had 18, and Prince George has had nine.
"Recent efforts to improve access to safe supply in B.C. are encouraging, and the BC Coroners Service supports continued enhancement of this critical life-saving measure. We continue to recommend a regulated, evidence-based, supportive treatment and recovery system as an important pillar in preventing future deaths."
In 2020, 83% of deaths occurred inside. People aged 19 to 49 accounted for 71% of deaths, with 79% of them being men.
Thankfully, no deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention site. Fentanyl continues to be the drug causing the most amount of deaths.
For the full report, click here.
