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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.