Skip to Main content

9.01°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

May 3, 2022 8:30 PM - Connect News

165 lives lost to poisoned drugs in March in B.C.

Share On

165-lives-lost-to-poisoned-drugs-in-march-in-b-c

“It’s tragic that 165 people lost their lives to the toxic drug crisis in March. (Photo - BC Govt.)

Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service’s report on illicit drug toxicity deaths for March 2022:

"It’s tragic that 165 people lost their lives to the toxic drug crisis in March. My heart is with the families and friends who are grieving, and my thanks to the front-line workers and peers who tried to save them.

"Every life lost is a tragedy. Our government remains committed to doing what it takes to turn the tide on this crisis. Almost every week, new mental-health and substance-use supports are added to save lives, yet the terribly toxic street drug supply continues to take lives.

"We know there is more work to do, and we won’t stop until we turn this crisis around.

"People who use drugs recreationally and regularly are all at high risk. If you plan to use, whether at home, at a party or event, please stay safer.

"You can stay safer by buddying up and downloading the free Lifeguard app, carrying naloxone with you, or visiting a supervised consumption site or an overdose prevention site for free drug checking and other harm-reduction services. For help, please check https://www.stopoverdose.gov.bc.ca/."

Latest news

b-c-ndp-pledges-legally-enforced-nurse-to-patient-ratios-in-hospitals

B.C. NDP Pledges Legally Enforced Nurse-to-Patient Ratios in Hospitals

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby announced during a campaign event in Vancouver on Thursday morning that his party would legally establish nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals, setting limits on the number of patients each nurse can care for. Eby said the policy would initially be implemented in emergency departments. He also claimed that British Columbia is the first province in Canada to offer such a guarantee, adding that more than 4,700 nurses have already been added to the health-care system under the initiative. As part of its election platform, the NDP is also promising to add 1,000 new traini

bc-conservative-leader-lorne-doerkson-accuses-ndp-of-failing-surrey-residents

BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson Accuses NDP of Failing Surrey Residents

BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has sharply criticized David Eby’s BC NDP government, accusing it of making empty promises to Surrey residents over the past nine years. Doerkson said Surrey continues to face overcrowded schools, emergency room closures, a shortage of doctors and a growing extortion problem. He alleged that the Eby government has failed to deliver on its promises to the city, while major projects have gone over budget and areas such as Newton have been neglected. Unveiling his Surrey Success Plan, Doerkson pledged that a BC Conservative government would fulfill its comm

punjab-cms-osd-rajbir-ghuman-skips-cbi-questioning-in-alleged-corruption-case

IndiaOct 22, 2026

Punjab CM’s OSD Rajbir Ghuman Skips CBI Questioning in Alleged Corruption Case

Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, did not appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in Chandigarh for questioning in an alleged corruption case. This is the third time the CBI has summoned Ghuman for questioning. During two previous sessions, the agency reportedly asked him a total of 90 questions. Meanwhile, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia targeted the Punjab government over allegations of corruption. He called for investigations into various matters, including alleged bribery in the transfer

CanadaOct 22, 2026

Direct Flights Between Canada and Türkiye to Nearly Double

Canada and Türkiye have signed a new air transport agreement to increase passenger flights between the two countries. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that trade negotiators from both countries will begin discussions in Ankara next month to lay the groundwork for a first round of free trade agreement talks. Carney said bilateral trade between Canada and Türkiye has increased by 50 per cent over the past five years, highlighting significant potential for further growth. During his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Carney also signed a defence cooperation agree

AlbertaOct 22, 2026

Alberta Reports Sharp Rise in Flu Cases, 5 Deaths and 26 ICU Admissions

Alberta is seeing a significant rise in influenza cases well before the official flu season begins. As of October 11, the province had recorded 366 laboratory-confirmed flu cases, compared with just 42 during the same period last year. Hospitalizations have also increased, with nearly 300 Albertans hospitalized due to influenza since August. Among them, 26 patients, including two young children, have required intensive care. Five people have died from influenza since August, including four in the Calgary zone. Flu vaccines became available to the general public on October 19. So far, approxima

Related News

B.C. NDP Pledges Legally Enforced Nurse-to-Patient Ratios in Hospitals

B.C. NDP Pledges Legally Enforced Nurse-to-Patient Ratios in Hospitals

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby announced during a campaign event in Vancouver on Thursday morning that his party would legally establish nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals, setting limits on the number of patients each nurse can care for. Eby said the policy would initially be implemented in emergency departments. He also claimed that British Columbia is the first province in Canada to offer such a guarantee, adding that more than 4,700 nurses have already been added to the health-care system under the initiative. As part of its election platform, the NDP is also promising to add 1,000 new traini

BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson Accuses NDP of Failing Surrey Residents

BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson Accuses NDP of Failing Surrey Residents

BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has sharply criticized David Eby’s BC NDP government, accusing it of making empty promises to Surrey residents over the past nine years. Doerkson said Surrey continues to face overcrowded schools, emergency room closures, a shortage of doctors and a growing extortion problem. He alleged that the Eby government has failed to deliver on its promises to the city, while major projects have gone over budget and areas such as Newton have been neglected. Unveiling his Surrey Success Plan, Doerkson pledged that a BC Conservative government would fulfill its comm

70% of Vancouver Voters Back Ban on Public Drug Use

70% of Vancouver Voters Back Ban on Public Drug Use

Nearly 70% of Vancouver voters supported banning the open use of drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl in public spaces, according to a non-binding question included alongside the municipal election ballot. Meanwhile, 68% supported urging the provincial government to build a secure medical facility with more than 100 beds at the site of the former St. Paul’s Hospital for patients struggling with severe mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Both questions were added to the ballot at the request of former Mayor Ken Sim. However, newly elected Mayor Pete Fry describ

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital