At Least 198 Lost To Toxic Drugs In July As Public Health Emergency Continues

For the 13th consecutive month, more than 190 British Columbians have lost their lives to the toxic, unregulated drug supply.

“I am saddened to once again report that British Columbia’s toxic drug crisis shows no signs of abating,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner.

“We are continuing to experience record numbers of deaths provincewide because of the toxic drug supply. The unregulated illicit market is highly unpredictable and continues to put thousands of lives at risk each month. Despite recommendations for the urgent expansion of a safer drug supply, very few have access to a stable, lower-risk alternative.”

Between January and July, at least 1,455 deaths were attributed to toxic drugs, the largest number ever reported by the BC Coroners Service in the first seven months of a calendar year.

The provincewide death rate stands at 46.2 per 100,000 residents, with the Vancouver Coastal (56.7), Island (52.4) and Interior (50.7) health authorities all posting death rates higher than ever previously recorded.

The Northern Health Authority (59.8) continues to report the highest rate of death in the province.

Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death in British Columbia for persons aged 10 to 59, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural disease combined.

The lives of at least 12,739 British Columbians have been lost to unregulated drugs since the public health emergency was first declared in April 2016.

Lapointe notes that we will be recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday, and says it is “an important opportunity to recognize all our family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours who have been lost to unregulated drugs.’’

The number of unregulated drug deaths in July 2023 equates to about 6.4 deaths per day.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.