It has been over eight years since the BC government declared a public health crisis in regards to the number of deaths stemming from the toxic drug supply.
On Thursday, June 6th, the Province announced that since the crisis was declared, 14,582 British Columbians have passed away from toxic drug use.
In April of this year alone, 182 lives were lost. So far in the first four months of 2024, at least 763 British Columbians have died from this crisis.
“With the latest report from the BC Coroners Service, today we face with a heavy heart the tragic loss of 182 people due to toxic-drug poisonings in our province,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
“This is more than just a number as each person was irreplaceable to their families, friends, coworkers and neighbours.”
“Each of these lives matters. There are not enough words to bring comfort to those who are grieving and to everyone in every corner of our province and across the country who has experienced a preventable loss of a loved one due to toxic drugs,” she continued.
On Vancouver Island, 159 people have died of toxic drug deaths, with 29 passing in April.
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The Province says that this figure represents a 24% decrease from the 239 deaths that were attributed to the toxic drug crisis last April, but despite that, the risk posed by toxic drugs remains high.
Toxic drugs continue to be the leading cause of death in those aged between 10 and 59-years-old, accounting for more fatalities than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined.
Fentanyl remains the leading factor in the amount of toxic drug deaths, having been detected in 82% of toxicology test results, according to the Province.
