The latest report from the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) says that from January to July of this year, at least 1,365 people have died from the ongoing toxic drug crisis in BC.
In a media release last week, the day before International Overdose Awareness Day, the province released overdose death statistics for June and July, reporting 185 and 192 deaths due to toxic drug use, respectively.
This brings the death toll up to 15,140 since the public health emergency was announced in April 2016.
According to the BCCS report, Greater Victoria has the third highest death rate in BC for toxic drug poisoning, just behind Vancouver and Surrey, with 101 deaths so far in 2024.
“Unregulated toxic drugs continue to cause more loss of life in British Columbia than homicides, motor-vehicle incidents, suicides and natural disease combined, tragically equating to about 6.2 people losing their lives each day,” said Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, chief coroner.
“The unregulated drug market is volatile and continues to put people’s lives at grave risk each month.”
Of those who’ve died across BC, 73% of unregulated drug deaths in 2024 have been men. Women’s unregulated drug death toll in 2024 has nearly doubled since 2020—now at 22 deaths per 100,000 people, where it was 13 per 100,000.
And although the death toll for July 2024 is reportedly 15% less than the number of deaths reported in July 2023, BCCS noted that it doesn’t make the public health emergency any less of a priority.
“Despite the decrease, people who use drugs in communities across B.C. face risk of significant injury or death,” a media release reads.
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This release comes at the heels of a West Shore RCMP announcement, after two were found dead and another two injured from heavy drug use.
This occurred on August 30th, around 6:25 a.m., when West Shore RCMP and other emergency personnel responded to reports of four individuals in medical distress at the Taylor Road beach access in Metchosin.
There was a significant emergency response, with multiple services joining RCMP officers at the scene.
Police said evidence of hard drug use was found in the area.
Tragically, despite the extensive life-saving efforts of first responders, two adult females were pronounced dead at the scene. Two adult males, who also appeared to be suffering from drug overdoses, were rushed to the hospital and remain in critical condition.
The investigation remains ongoing, and those in the area can expect restricted beach and road access during this time. Police ask the public to avoid the area.
“Tomorrow, we mark International Overdose Awareness Day. To the loved ones of the approximate 15,140 British Columbians who have lost their lives to drug toxicity since this public-health emergency was declared in 2016, I extend my deepest condolences,” Baidwan said.
“These losses impact people far beyond our province, and we must not forget these are sons and daughters, parents and grandparents, co-workers and teammates.”
—With files from Curtis Blandy
