The BC Coroners Service has shared that at least 302 British Columbians succumbed to death from toxic drug use in July and August.
These figures are broken down to a minimum of 153 deaths in July and 149 in August.
So far this year, at least 1,218 BC residents have died, 223 of whom died within Island Health’s jurisdiction.
Since April 2016 when the BC government declared a public health emergency surrounding toxic drug deaths, at least 17,552 British Columbians have lost their lives.
As far as demographic information goes, the BCCS has determined that 69% of toxic drug deaths this year have occurred to those between the ages of 30 and 59, and 78% of the deceased were male.
Toxic drug deaths among youth who are 19-years-old and younger have amounted to a minimum of 21 so far this year.
Furthermore, it has been determined that fentanyl and its analogues continue to be the most-common substance detected in expedited toxicological testing amongst the decedents.
A reported 70% of the deceased had fentanyl in their systems, followed by cocaine (52%) and methamphetamine (52%).
Thus far, their data shows that the two most common industries worked in by those who have died of toxic drug use are trades, transport and equipment operators, followed by those who work in sales and service.
