More than 14,000 British Columbians have died from toxic drugs over an eight year period. As BC announced the latest death figures for April 2024 at 182 from unregulated toxic drugs, it said more than 14,500 have died in eight years into public health crisis that seems to be never-ending. While the April figures represent a 24% decrease from the number of deaths in April 2023 (239), the risk posed by unregulated drug supply remains very high.

By PD Raj – Senior Reporter DESIBUZZCanada

VICTORIA – More than 14,000 British Columbians have died from toxic drugs over an eight year period.

As BC announced the latest death figures for April 2024 at 182 from unregulated toxic drugs, it said more than 14,500 have died in eight years into public health crisis that seems to be never-ending.

While the April figures represent a 24% decrease from the number of deaths in April 2023 (239), the risk posed by unregulated drug supply remains very high.

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, said with the latest report from the BC Coroners Service, today (Thursday) we face with a heavy heart the tragic loss of 182 people due to toxic-drug poisonings in our province. This is more than just a number as each person was irreplaceable to their families, friends, coworkers and neighbours.

"Each of these lives matters. There are not enough words to bring comfort to those who are grieving and to everyone in every corner of our province and across the country who has experienced a preventable loss of a loved one due to toxic drugs Whiteside said.

"We are continuing to work urgently to save lives and connect people to care that meets their needs. When someone makes the brave decision to seek treatment, they need immediate, connected supports. Waiting for services can be deadly for someone with addiction challenges. That's why we are building an integrated mental-health and addictions system to ensure people have access to the right treatment and recovery services for them - where and when they need it.

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, including 763 in the first four months of 2024. 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.

Fentanyl continues to be the primary driver of unregulated toxic-drug deaths in 2024, detected in 82% of toxicological test results. Coroner investigations confirm that substances were consumed through smoking in nearly three-quarters of the deaths in April.

Nearly 50% of decedents in April were between the age of 30 and 49 and seven in 10 were males. Toxic drugs continue to claim the lives of about six people in British Columbia per day.

Additional notable findings from the latest report include:

* The death rate for females has nearly doubled since 2020, from about 13 to 23 per 100,000 in 2024.

* Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria experienced the most loss of life in April from unregulated toxic drugs, followed closely by Prince George and Nanaimo.

* By health authority, the highest number of lives lost to toxic drugs in April were in Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health (56 and 51 respectively), making up nearly 60% of all such deaths.

* Eighty-three per cent of unregulated drug deaths in 2024 occurred inside (48% in private homes and 35% inside social and supportive housing, single-room occupancies, shelters, hostels and other indoor locations).

The data shared by the BC Coroners Service is subject to change as additional toxicology results are received.

VICTORIA –