Toxic drugs crisis claims 17 lives in Northern Health in April

Jun 6, 2024 | 11:38 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — The BC Coroners Service says unregulated toxic drugs claimed the lives of 182 people in April, including 17 people in the Northern Health region.

The 182 deaths represents a 24 per cent decrease from the number of deaths in April 2023 (239) and, currently, the rate of death in 2024 is less than the year-to-date rates in any of the previous three years (2021-2023).

The total number of deaths in B.C. from January through April 2024 is 763, with 17 of those deaths occurring in Prince George.

So far this year, 69 per cent of those dying were aged 30 to 59, and 71 per cent were male.

The BC Coroners Service says fentanyl continues to be the primary driver of unregulated toxic-drug deaths in 2024, detected in 82 per cent of toxicological test results. Coroner investigations confirm that substances were consumed through smoking in nearly three-quarters of the deaths in April.

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April 2024 marks eight years since the public-health emergency was first declared. At least 14,582 people in the province have lost their lives to toxic drugs in that time. Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death for people in British Columbia age 10 to 59, and accounts for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined.

by CKPG Today

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Toxic drugs crisis claims 17 lives in Northern Health in April

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