Over 200 lives lost in October to illicit drugs

An increasingly toxic and volatile illicit drug supply has claimed at least 201 lives in October and 1,782 lives in the first 10 months of 2021, according to the latest preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service.

“Today is a heart-rending milestone for our province,” said Lisa Lapointe, B.C.’s chief coroner. “The deaths of more than 200 of our community members in one month due to toxic drugs is a devastating loss. In the sixth year of this public health emergency, we are experiencing a record loss of life and I know this news will resonate with tremendous sadness amongst the thousands of families who have lost a loved one to this crisis. My thoughts continue to be with every family and community that is grieving the loss of a loved one.”

October is the first month in which 200 lives were lost to illicit drugs in B.C. The 1,782 lives lost between January and October already represent the highest number of deaths due to drug toxicity ever recorded in the province in a calendar year. More than 8,300 people have died as a result of drug toxicity since the public health emergency into substance-related harms was declared in April 2016.

Merritt’s Local Health Area, has the third highest illicit drug toxicity rate in B.C, behind Upper Skeena and Lillooet. From January to August, Merritt’s LHA has confirmed nine deaths.

The Interior Health Authority recorded 43 illicit drug deaths in October, the highest monthly total since the start of 2020. The Thompson-Cariboo registered 16 deaths, tied for the highest monthly total this year with May.

* 71% of those who have died as a result of suspected drug toxicity in 2021 were aged between 30 and 59, and 79% were male.

* The number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in October 2021 equate to about 6.5 deaths per day.

* Illicit drug toxicity deaths in B.C. rank second only to cancer in terms of years of life lost. The median age of those who died as a result of illicit drug toxicity in 2020 was 43.