Illicit Drug Deaths

• More females are dying of toxic drugs in B.C. as latest numbers released

  Illicit drug deaths are down slightly in British Columbia from the same period last year, but the coroners service says females are dying at a much higher rate.

  Health

  Oct 24, 2024
  
• B.C. toxic drug deaths down 9% so far in 2024

  B.C.'s Coroners Service says the number of people who have died this year from toxic drug poisoning is down from 2023, but an around six people are still dying every day.

  Health

  Jul 30, 2024
  
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• 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
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• 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
• 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
• 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
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• 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
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• 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