Toxic drug deaths on record pace in B.C.

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Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said at least 940 lives have been lost to toxic drugs in B.C. between January and May, which is a record number for the first five months of a year.

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“After a catastrophic 2021, I am saddened to report that we are, once again, on pace to lose a record number of our community members in 2022,” said Lapointe. “The illicit drug supply in this province continues to be volatile and inconsistent and presents a significant risk to anyone who uses drugs. I strongly urge those purchasing illicit substances to take every available precaution to protect yourself.

Lapointe said that includes starting with a small amount of the drug, and making sure someone is present who can provide naloxone and call for emergency assistance if there is a negative effect.

The service said about 91 per cent of samples from toxicological testing have detected fentanyl and/or its analogues in the victims; 73 per cent have detected at least one stimulant, and 19 per cent have shown at least one other opioid and 44 per cent have included at least one benzodiazepine.

Lapointe is calling on the province to follow the recommendations of a death review panel’s report in March to include a provincial framework for the distribution of safer drug supply, the development of a 30/60/90-day action plan with clear goals, targets and deliverable timeframes for reducing the number of drug toxicity deaths, and completing a framework for establishing a substance-use system of care.

“Responses to these recommendations have not yet been received,” Lapointe noted.

“Six people a day are dying due to the toxic drug crisis in this province and it’s nothing short of tragic,” said Sheila Malcolmson, minister of mental health and addictions. But it’s the reason we must persevere and continue the vital work of reducing the risk of toxic drug poisonings and saving lives.

“Part of that work includes building a comprehensive and seamless continuum of mental health and addictions care that works for all British Columbians. Our government is urgently working to build and fund that system – a system that includes treatment and recovery options in every part of B.C.

“We are deepening our investment in people and innovative solutions to turn this crisis around, such as leading the country on prescribed safe supply and decriminalizing people who use drugs. We know there is much more to do, and we won’t stop working until we finally put an end to this terrible crisis,” Malcolmson added.

Additional key preliminary findings are below. Data is subject to change as additional toxicology results are received:

• By health authority in 2022, the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths have been in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health Authorities (302 and 263 deaths, respectively), making up 60% of all such deaths during this period.
• By health authority in 2022, the highest rates of death have been reported in Northern Health (53 deaths per 100,000 individuals) and Vancouver Coastal Health (50 per 100,000). Overall, the rate in B.C. is 43 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2022.
• By health service delivery area in 2022, the highest rates of death have been reported in Vancouver, Thompson Cariboo, Northwest, Fraser East and Northern Interior.
• By local health area in 2022, the highest rates of death have been reported in Lillooet, Mission, Cariboo/Chilcotin, Powell River and Merritt.

To see the illicit drug overdose death report (data to May 31, 2022), click here.

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