Local toxic drug death toll climbed to 37 in October

The drug death tolls are subject to change, pending further investigation, but as of time of publication they broke down as follows:

2024 Toxic Drug Deaths	Jan.	Feb.	March	April	May	June	July	Aug.	Sept.	Oct.	Total to Date
Vernon	2	4	4	2	6	4	5	2	3	5	37
Kelowna	11	6	8	3	4	12	6	6	12	8	76
Kamloops	11	10	8	5	4	7	8	13	15	2	83

Though the death tolls continue to climb, the Coroner’s Service figures do not put Vernon or Kelowna on track to surpass the previous record high drug deaths tolls of 56 and 104, respectively, which were both recorded in 2023.

The local deaths were part of 155 recorded throughout B.C. in October, including 23 in the Interior.

“[The] report from the BC Coroners Service is a reminder of the ongoing devastation caused by the toxic-drug crisis and my heart goes out to the family, friends and colleagues of the 155 people we lost in October. Each of these people mattered deeply and their absence is felt by everyone who knew and loved them,” Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, said.

“The toxic-drug supply remains one of the most serious threats to public health, affecting people from all walks of life. While we have seen encouraging progress, with the lowest number of deaths in four years, there is still much work ahead.

“Mental-health care is health care and we are committed to making it accessible for everyone. We are building a system that provides life-saving tools, such as take-home naloxone and drug-checking services that can help people take their first steps toward recovery when they are ready. At the same time, we are taking action to expand treatment, recovery and crisis supports so everyone can receive timely, compassionate care without stigma or barriers.”

To date, a total of 1,925 people have died due to illicit toxic drugs in B.C., though the Coroner’s Service noted that represents a nine per cent decrease from the deaths in the first 10 months of 2023, which was recorded at 2,107.

The Coroner’s Service added the annualized death rate in 2024 was recorded at 41 per 100,000 people, which was also down from the previous three years.

Males have made up 70 per cent of illicit toxic drug deaths in B.C. so far in 2024, though it was noted the rate of female deaths had increased.

Approximately 81 per cent of unregulated toxic drug deaths this year occurred inside, with 48 per cent within a private residence and 33 per cent in other residences such as social and supportive housing, shelters, or hotels.

Fentanyl was detected in 82 per cent of deaths that were subject to expedited toxicology testing in 2023-24, while cocaine was present in 49 per cent of cases, methamphetamine in 44 per cent, bromazolam in 36 per cent, and hydromorphone in three per cent of deaths.

by Liam Verster

Local toxic drug death toll climbed to 37 in October

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