Toxic drug supply taking its toll on B.C.
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An average of five people a day are dying in B.C. of drug overdoses, with much of it due to a toxic drug supply.
That’s according to the latest update from the BC Coroners Service, reporting 153 deaths in November, a seven per cent decrease over the 164 deaths in October 2020, and a 89 per cent increase over the 81 deaths in November 2019.
“Tragically, as we reach the end of 2020, our province is facing a record-breaking year for lives lost due to a toxic illicit drug supply,” Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said. “In the five years of this public health emergency, more than 6,500 families have experienced the grief and sadness of losing a loved one to the challenging medical condition of drug addiction. I extend my sincere condolences to all of those grieving a family member, friend or colleague due to this disease.”
There have been 1,548 illicit drug deaths to date in 2020 in B.C., and the number of deaths in each health authority is at or near the highest ever monthly totals. Toxicology results suggest a greater number of cases with extreme fentanyl concentrations from April to November 2020 compared with previous months.
