Merritt records 15 illicit drug deaths in 2021

The B.C Coroners Service has released the end of year illicit drug toxicity deaths for 2021.

In 2021, there were 2,224 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths, the most ever recorded in a year. This represents a 26% increase over the number of deaths seen in 2020 (1,767).

Overall, in 2021, there were on average 6.1 deaths per day. In 2021, 71% of those dying were aged 30 to 59, and 78% were male.

The Merritt Local Health area recorded 15 illicit drug deaths in 2021. The rate per 100,000 person-years is the second highest in all of B.C at 124.9, trailing just Upper Skeena. The Merritt rate is also by far the highest since 2016 (data provided begins in 2016), surpassing 79.1 in 2017.

The Interior Health Authority registered 371 illicit deaths in 2021, a near 100 death jump from the 288 recorded in 2020. The total is the most ever recorded in a calendar year. The Thompson-Cariboo region recorded 14 deaths in December and 148 overall in 2021, also the most ever for the area. The deaths surpassed the 101 recorded in 2020.

More to come