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By Sam Bennison

Toxic Drug Deaths

Overdose deaths down from September last year

Nov 1, 2023 | 2:45 PM

NORTHERN BC— A new report from the BC Coroners Service shows a decline of unregulated drug deaths in B.C. In September there were 175 suspected unregulated drug deaths in September 2023, representing a 10% decrease over the number of deaths in September 2022 (194) and a 2% decrease over the number of deaths in August 2023(178).

As of September 2023 there have been 66 unregulated drugs deaths in Prince George and a total of 1836 deaths across B.C. Northern Health has the highest rate of unregulated drug death at 62 per 100,000 people.

While these statistics show an improvement this still means that an average of 5.8 people died of overdose in September. Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Health and Addictions urges people to recognize that those who lost their lives are irreplaceable and that “every day, families, friends and communities are navigating tides of deep grief and trauma in the wake of lost loved ones. No words can soften these losses.”

The BC Coroner’s Service is calling for an expansion of safer supply initiatives in B.C. Citing that as many as 225,000 British Columbians are estimated to use unregulated substances, but fewer than 5,000 per month receive safer supply prescriptions.

The Coroners Service encourages the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction to apply a class exemption. to the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act that will allow access the class of opioid and stimulant drugs without prescriptions to those at risk of dying.

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The panel recognizes that many communities have expressed concerns regarding public health and safety. The report also strongly advocates for a system of checks and balances to ensure the goals of the program are met and that public concerns are addressed.

Currently Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death for British Columbians aged 10-59, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural disease combined. There have been over 1300 deaths since the public health emergency was first declared in April 2016.