Overdose Deaths Top 1400 In BC In 2017
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New data from the BC Coroners Service today show ore than 1,400 British Columbians died due to suspected illicit drug overdoses in 2017.
Preliminary data indicate there were 1,422 suspected drug overdose deaths in 2017, representing a 43% increase from 2016, when there were 993 overdose deaths.
There were significantly fewer deaths, however, in the last four months of 2017 (average of 96.5 deaths per month from September to December) compared with the first eight months of the year (average of 129.5 deaths per month).
“By continuing to provide timely, accurate data to the public, and policy- and decision-makers throughout the province, we’re able to support evidence-based measures to keep British Columbians safer when it comes to substance use,” said chief coroner Lisa Lapointe. “There is no question that this is a public-health crisis that is impacting people from all walks of life, and we need to continue to work together to help reduce stigma and increase awareness and support for those at risk.”
