BC reports 158 illicit drug deaths in March 2021

As the province’s public health emergency regarding substance related harms enters its sixth year, the BC Coroners Service reports that toxic illicit drugs have claimed the lives of 158 British Columbians in March 2021.

This raises the total number of deaths in the province for the year to 498.

The Interior Health Authority reported 28 illicit drug deaths in March, compared to 23 in February and 26 in January. In March of 2020, there was 17 deaths.

Broken down further to the Thompson Cariboo Health Service Delivery Area, which includes Merritt, there was 14 illicit drug deaths in March 2021, compared to 13 in February, and seven in January.

“Once again, we are reminded of the incredible toll that the toxic drug emergency is having on communities throughout our province,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner, BC Coroners Service. “The illicit drug supply in British Columbia is volatile and unpredictable, and anyone using a substance from this unregulated market is vulnerable to serious injury or death.”

The 158 deaths represent a 41% increase over the 112 deaths recorded in March 2020 and ties the previous high for March established in 2018. For the third consecutive month, more than five British Columbians lost their lives to illicit drugs every day, and the yearly total to date surpassed the previous high of 401 deaths recorded between January and March 2017. The provincewide death rate for 2021 stands at 38.3 per 100,000 residents.

Additional key preliminary findings are below. Data are subject to change:

* The number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in March 2021 was about 5.1 deaths per day.

* In 2021, 69% of those dying were aged 30 to 59.

* Males accounted for 80% of deaths in 2021.