Toxic drug numbers have been released for the first three months of 2023

MERRITT – Toxic drug numbers throughout the first three months of 2023 have been released.

According to the latest preliminary data by the BC Coroners Service, 596 people died province-wide in January, February and March of this year, due to the toxic drug supply.

Within the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap health service delivery area, 32 deaths have been reported over the first three months of 2023 for a rate of 51.3 per 100,000 people. Interior Health recorded 83 deaths during that time.

April 14, 2023 marked the seven-year anniversary of the B.C. government declaring a public health emergency over increasing overdoses. Lisa Lapointe, B.C.’s chief coroner, says more than 11,000 British Columbians have died due to the unregulated drug supply during that time.

“It is clear that an urgent response to this crisis is required and overdue,” Lapointe says. “Recommendations made by multidisciplinary experts on two Coroners Service Death Review Panels and the Province’s Select Standing Committee on Health into the crisis support the urgent implementation of a safe, regulated supply of substances for those at risk of serious harm or death, as well as provincial standards for the provision of evidence-based treatment and recovery services, along with requirements for reporting outcomes.”

In 2022, Merritt saw 11 people die of overdose.