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B.C. coroner says 184 died in June from unregulated toxic drug supply

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Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says illicit fentanyl continues to drive the health crisis.

Published Jul 19, 2023  •  Last updated 19 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

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Paramedics help a man suffering a drug overdose on Columbia Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in May 2020. (Jason Payne/PNG) Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

The B.C. coroner says 184 B.C. residents died in June from the unregulated toxic drug supply, as the ongoing health crisis continues to plague the province.

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Data released by the B.C. Coroners Service Wednesday notes that more than 1,200 people have died from tainted drugs in the first six months of this year.

“British Columbia is continuing to lose community members at record rates as a result of the toxicity of the unregulated drug market,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner, in a statement Wednesday

“Illicit fentanyl continues to drive the crisis, which is causing deaths in large and small municipalities, towns and cities across the province. This health emergency is not confined to one neighbourhood or one demographic. Anyone accessing an illicit substance is at risk of serious harm or death.”

Fentanyl and/or a fentanyl analogue was present in more than 90 per cent of expedited toxicological testing in June, according to the coroner, and almost all unregulated drug deaths are the result of mixed drug toxicity.

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More than 80 per cent of reported deaths in 2023 have occurred indoors, with nearly half taking place in a private residence, according to the coroner.

Smoking continues to be the predominant mode of consumption.

More than 12,500 British Columbians have died since the public health emergency was declared in 2016.

“As coroners, we speak every day to families who are grieving the loss of a loved one,” said Lapointe.

“Our agency continues to recommend rapid expansion of a safer drug supply throughout the province to reduce the significant harms associated with the toxic illicit drug market and prevent future deaths.”

ticrawford@postmedia.com

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