Illicit Drug Deaths

• B.C. addictions doctor raises concerns about safer supply as minister offers reassurance

  B.C. launched its prescribed safer supply program in the midst of the pandemic, in the fifth year of its seven-year public health emergency declared to combat the overdose crisis.

  Health

  May 26, 2023
  
• Innovative program helps B.C. patients with overdose-related brain injuries

  The Cognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation for Substance Use program provides specialized supports for people who use substances including opioids and alcohol.

  Health

  May 25, 2023
  
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• Toxic drug alert issued for Penticton; Okanagan drug death toll rises

  In the most recent report from the BC Coroner's Office, 83 people had died by overdose from the drug supply within Interior Health up until March this year.

  Health

  Apr 20, 2023
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• Deaths among B.C.’s unhoused population jumped 75% between 2020 and 2021

  A preliminary report found 247 people experiencing homelessness died last year. Of those deaths deemed "accidental," 93 per cent were caused by the illicit drug supply.

  Health

  Oct 12, 2022
• Close to 200 people died from poisoned drugs in B.C. in May

  The numbers released are a 22 per cent increase from the number of deaths reported in April 2021, and bring the total number of poisoned drug deaths in 2022 to at least 940.

  Health

  Jul 14, 2022
• B.C. man awaiting extradition to U.S. for alleged dark web drug and money laundering operation

  The B.C. RCMP's Federal Serious and Organized Crime team began investigating an alleged dark web global drug trafficking vendor called "Canada1" in 2017.

  Crime

  Jun 16, 2022
• More females, older people overdosing in B.C.

  The median age of those who died between March 2020 and February 2022 was 44, but the number of deaths in older age groups continues to rise.

  Health

  Jun 9, 2022
• B.C. scraps controversial plan to involuntarily treat youth after overdose

  Critics said a lack of support outside a hospital could put youth at greater risk of overdose as their tolerance to toxic street drugs would be lowered during treatment.

  Health

  Apr 29, 2022
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• B.C. coroner wants ‘urgent action’ on safer drug supply six years into overdose crisis

  More than 9,400 people in the province have died of an overdose from toxic illicit drugs since the B.C. government declared a public health emergency six years ago.

  Health

  Apr 12, 2022
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• Kelowna, Kamloops see rise in illicit drug deaths: Report

  In 2021, Kelowna had 73 deaths – up from 61 in 2020 and 34 from 2019. A decade ago, in 2011, Kelowna had 14 deaths.

  Canada

  Feb 9, 2022