25 people in Prince George have died of overdose in the first two months of 2024

PRINCE GEORGE— The B.C. Coroners Service reports a suspected 177 individuals passed due to unregulated drugs in February 2024 as the overdose epidemic continues it’s rampage across the province. Unregulated drug deaths continue to be the leading cause of unnatural deaths in B.C.

Northern Health continues to have the highest deaths per capita in the province with 77 deaths per 100,000 individuals.

Overdose prevention sites continue to show efficacy as only one overdose death has occurred on site since the beginning of their implementation. Additionally safe supply continues to show no indication of contributing to unregulated drug deaths. In 2023-24, hydromorphone was detected in three per cent of deaths that have undergone expedited toxicology testing.

While this represents an 11 per cent decrease in the number of deaths in February 2023 it still equates to 6.1 death per day.