In May alone, at least 176 lives were lost to drug poisoning, bringing BC’s death toll to 1,018 so far this year.
176 lives lost is a noticeable decrease from the 218 lives lost in April — a 19% decrease. 33 of those deaths occurred on Vancouver Island.
According to the BC Coroners Service, toxic drug poisoning is now the leading cause of death in the province among those aged 10 to 59-years-old.
“BC Coroners Service findings confirm that this public-health emergency continues to be driven by illicit fentanyl,” said Lisa Lapointe, Chief Coroner.
“Expedited testing in 2023 is positive for fentanyl in almost nine out of every 10 results, nearly double the positivity rate of methamphetamine and cocaine, the next most commonly identified substances.
“As long as people are reliant on the profit-driven unregulated market to access the substances they need, their lives are at risk.”
Since April 2016, when the public health emergency was declared surrounding toxic drug poisoning, at least 12,264 British Columbians have lost their lives. Fentanyl has been detected in 78% of all those deaths, either by itself or in combination with other substances.
“We know that young people are not immune from the extreme dangers of the unregulated drug supply,” said Lapointe.
“In responding to this health crisis, it is critically important that we heed the recommendations of experts and ensure a robust system of care that includes increased access to timely, evidence-based treatment and recovery services and to a safer substance supply as an alternative to the toxic black market.”
“A public-health crisis of this magnitude demands a comprehensive response that meets people where they are and provides the services they need to survive,” she added.
