More people are dying of illicit drugs in B.C. than homicides, motor-vehicle incidents, drownings, suicide and fire-related deaths combined, according to the BC Coroners Service.
The coroners service’s latest report shows that at least 161 lives were lost to toxic illicit drugs in B.C. in April 2022, which is about 5.4 deaths per day
"Coroners' investigations continue to document the volatility and inconsistency of the illicit drug supply in our province," chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said in a news release. "The reality is that every time someone uses drugs purchased from the unregulated market, their life is at risk. Until a safer, regulated supply is widely accessible, I encourage those using drugs to use only in the presence of someone who can provide help and call for medical assistance if that's required. Anyone using illicit substances, whether they are regular or occasional drug users and whether they know their dealer or not, is currently at risk from the unpredictable, unregulated supply."
In an email to the Record, the BC Coroners Service said there was one suspected illicit drug toxicity death in New Westminster in April. That’s in addition to nine illicit drug deaths in the first three months of 2022 – five in January, one in February and three in March.
According to the coroners service, men have historically accounted for nearly 80 per cent of illicit drug-related deaths, but more than 26 per cent of those who died in April were female, continuing a shifting trend that began earlier in the year.
The service reports that the median age of people who died between March 2020 and February 2022 was 44, but the number of deaths in older age categories continues to increase; 38 per cent of decedents in 2022 have been among people 50 or older.
No deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites. In New Westminster, witnessed consumption services are offered at the health contact centre at 40 Begbie St.
Lapointe said the drug toxicity death review panel’s report, released earlier this year, outlined urgent measures that could be taken to reduce the numbers of people dying as a result of drug toxicity in B.C. and highlighted access to a safer drug supply as the most critical life-saving need in this crisis.
“BC Coroners Service data for the first four months of 2022 shows us that our province is on the path to yet another tragic milestone in terms of lives lost,” she said in a news release. “I am hopeful that the implementation of the panel's recommendations, on an urgent basis, will stop these preventable deaths."
Data from the BC Coroners Service shows that 84 per cent of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2022 have occurred indoors (57 per cent in private residences and 27 per cent in other residences including social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters, hotels and other indoor locations) and 14 per cent have occurred outside in vehicles, sidewalks, streets, parks, etc.
