By Chris Koo

Toxic drug crisis

Toxic drug crisis claims 6.2 lives per day in B.C. in March

May 7, 2024 | 11:07 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — The BC Coroners Service says toxic drugs claimed the lives of at least 192 people in March, and at least 572 lives in the first three months of 2024, according to their data.

Compared to March 2023, the number of people who lost their lives to unregulated toxic drugs, decreased 11%.

However, the rate of death among females are increasing yearly, with 20.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2023, and 23 deaths per 100,000 in 2024.

“For British Columbians between 10 and 59, unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined.”

The 192 deaths in March works out to an average of 6.2 deaths per day. Illicit drug deaths claimed 36 lives in Prince George from January through March.

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Approximately 14,400 people have lost their lives to toxic drugs since the public-health emergency was first declared in April 2016 says BCCS.

Fentanyl has been detected in 85% of unregulated drug deaths that have undergone toxic testing, says the Service.

Non-prescriber based regulated substances say that urgent action is required to prevent further drug poisoning deaths and end the public health emergency.