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By Caden Fanshaw

DRUG TOXICITY

Illicit drug deaths continue to surpass records in B.C.

Dec 21, 2020 | 10:09 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – More grim news for the toxicity of illicit drugs in B.C. as November saw an 89% increase in deaths over the same period in 2019.

The BC Coroners Service reports 153 suspected drug toxicity deaths in November 2020, the positive is that number is a 7% decrease over the number of deaths in October 2020 (164).

The latest data is equal to five people per day losing their lives to illicit drug overdoses.

“Tragically, as we reach the end of 2020, our province is facing a record-breaking year for lives lost due to a toxic illicit drug supply. In the five years of this public health emergency, more than 6,500 families have experienced the grief and sadness of losing a loved one to the challenging medical condition of drug addiction. I extend my sincere condolences to all of those grieving a family member, friend or colleague due to this disease,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner.

There have been 1,548 illicit drug deaths to date in 2020 in B.C., and the number of deaths in each health authority is at or near the highest ever monthly totals.

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Toxicology results suggest a greater number of cases with extreme fentanyl concentrations from April to November 2020 compared with previous months.

In 2020, 70% of those deaths were aged 30 to 59. Males have accounted for 81% of deaths in 2020 to date.