Nearly 1,500 lives lost in B.C. to toxic drugs in 2022; most victims are men, many between 30-59 years old

At least 150 illicit drug-related deaths have been recorded in B.C. in every month since October 2020, with the exception of June 2022, when 149 deaths were reported. During that 23-month period, an average of 184 lives have been lost each month.

Illicit drug toxicity is the leading cause of unnatural death in British Columbia and is second only to cancers in terms of years of life lost. At least 10,326 British Columbians have been lost to the illicit drug supply since the public-health emergency for substance-related harms was first declared in April 2016.

“In their March 2022 report, the subject matter experts of the recent Coroners Service Death Review Panel highlighted the urgent need for the development of a provincial framework for safer supply distribution,” said Lapointe. “This measure, along with a governance framework that sets clear goals, targets and timeframes for reducing substance-related deaths, and the establishment of an evidence-based continuum of care for those experiencing problematic substance use, were identified as three key areas to address this public health crisis.”

Additional key preliminary findings are below. Data is subject to change as additional toxicology results are received:

* By health authority, the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2022 have been in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health Authorities (455 and 405 deaths, respectively), making up 59 per cent of all such deaths.

* By health authority, the highest rates of death have been in Northern Health (52 deaths per 100,000 individuals) and Vancouver Coastal Health (48 per 100,000). Overall, the rate in B.C. in 2022 is 42 deaths per 100,000 individuals.

* By health service delivery area, the highest rates in 2022 have been in Vancouver, Northwest, Thompson Cariboo, Northern Interior and Fraser East.

* By local health area, the highest rates in 2022 have been in Lillooet, Cowichan Valley West, Terrace, Alberni/Clayoquot and Merritt.

* In 2022, 82 per cent of illicit drug toxicity deaths occurred inside (56 per cent in private residences and 27 per cent in other inside residences, including social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters, and hotels and other indoor locations) and 16 per cent occurred outside in vehicles, sidewalks, streets, parks, etc.

* No deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites.

* Analysis of post-mortem toxicology results shows no indication that prescribed safe supply is contributing to illicit drug deaths regionally or provincially.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Nearly 1,500 lives lost in B.C. to toxic drugs in 2022; most victims are men, many between 30-59 years old

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