169 overdose deaths recorded in B.C. in August, 8-month total nears record
Dozens more British Columbians died from toxic substances in August, the province's latest overdose data shows, bringing the total number of deaths reported in the first eight months of the year close to a record.
A report from the B.C. Coroners Service, released Wednesday, revealed 169 people died of suspected overdoses in August. That averages about 5.5 deaths per day.
August's figures, which are subject to change as more investigations are conducted, mark a 12 per cent decrease in deaths compared to the previous month and a 14 per cent decrease compared to August 2021.
So far this year, 1,468 deaths from toxic drugs have been reported to the provincial coroner. The record for the first eight months of the year – reported in 2021 – is just one higher at 1,469.
"The illicit drug market continues to pose immense risks to people across our province," said Lisa Lapointe, B.C.'s chief coroner, in a news release.
"People in communities across B.C. are continuing to lose friends, family members and colleagues to the unprecedented toxicity of the unregulated drug supply. I extend my sincere condolences to all of those grieving the loss of a loved one."
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson said the province is "offering innovative harm-reduction solutions."
“We are also the only province in Canada to decriminalize people who use drugs, so that we can remove the stigma and shame associated with substance use. We agree addiction is a health-care issue, not a criminal one," she said in a statement.
The province's preliminary data shows the highest number of deaths so far this year have been reported in the province's most populated health regions: Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health. Together, those two areas account for 59 per cent of B.C.'s overdose deaths in 2022.
However, Northern Health is seeing the highest rate of overdose deaths at 52 deaths per 100,000 people. By comparison, the rate is 48 per 100,000 in Vancouver Coastal Health.
Other health authorities aren't immune to the crisis either. Over the weekend in Kelowna, which is part of the Interior Health Authority, five people died of an overdose in a nine-hour period.
After announcing those deaths, local police advised drug users to go to supervised consumption sites, avoid using alone, test their drugs and carry the overdose reversal drug naloxone.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.