On Tuesday, May 7th, the BC Coroners Service announced the latest death toll connected with the toxic drug crisis occurring right now in British Columbia.
In March alone, 192 people died from substance use.
With this latest addition to the province’s death toll, 572 British Columbians have now died of toxic drugs and in total, at least 14,400 have lost their lives to this crisis since the BC government declared a public health emergency in April 2016.
“These losses underscore the urgency with which we must continue to respond to this public-health emergency,” said Jennifer Whiteside, BC’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
“We remember not only those we’ve lost but also their families and friends left to grieve.”
“As we think about those we’ve lost, I’m also reminded of the frontline workers and community partners who continue to work tirelessly to help people through this crisis,” she continued.
Related:
- ‘People deserve so much better’: Our Place conducts survey of unhoused to reduce stigma
- Drug advisory issued for Greater Victoria, including West Shore and Sooke
- BC Greens demand ‘compassionate and evidence-based’ solutions to toxic drug crisis
According to the BC Coroners Service, March’s death toll represented an 8% uptick from the previous month’s and an 11% increase year-over-year from March 2023’s death toll.
Seven in 10 of those who passed away this March were between the ages of 30 and 59-years-old.
Statistics say that over three-quarters of those who died were men, although the number of women who are succumbing to drug deaths is climbing steadily every year, according to the Province.
For those between the ages of 10 and 59-years-old, toxic drug death continues to be the leading cause of death—even more than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined.
“Our goal is a future where every member of our community has access to the support they need when they need it, where no opportunity for recovery is out of reach, and where we all uphold the dignity and potential of every person who calls our province home,” said Whiteside.
“Our actions are relentless because we understand the profound costs of inaction. While we have made significant progress, much work remains. Together, let us move forward with determination and compassion for the health and well-being of all.”
In Greater Victoria, 17 lives were confirmed to be lost from toxic drug use in March. So far this year, 37 lives have been lost in Greater Victoria, 38 have been lost in Nanaimo and on Vancouver Island combined, 128 lives have been lost.
