13.1°C Vancouver

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

BCOct 20, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Announce Election Night Watch Party in Vancouver

The B.C. Conservative Party has announced details of its official election night event ahead of the provincial election results. According to a press release issued by the party, leader Lorne Doerkson will host an election night watch party with campaign staff and supporters at Vancouver’s Rocky Mountaineer Station after British Columbians cast their votes. The venue is the same location where Kerry-Lynne Findlay was declared the party’s leader during a leadership convention five months ago. Doerkson, who is in the race to become B.C.’s premier, is running in the Cariboo-Chilcotin riding
surrey-mayor-doug-mccallum-reacts-to-skytrain-extension-promises-for-newton
BCOct 20, 2026

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum Reacts to SkyTrain Extension Promises for Newton

Newly elected Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum has strongly reacted to announcements by two major provincial parties regarding the proposed SkyTrain extension to the Newton area. In a statement issued by McCallum’s Safe Surrey Coalition, the party said the B.C. Conservatives have made a firm commitment to deliver the SkyTrain project to Newton Town Centre, while the B.C. NDP has offered only to hold another meeting on the issue. McCallum said the project is particularly important for Newton, Surrey’s largest community, which has a population larger than that of many cities but still lacks rapid
BCOct 20, 2026

Both NDP and Conservatives make same SkyTrain election promise for Surrey, B.C

Both the B.C. NDP and B.C. Conservative Party have promised to extend SkyTrain service to Surrey’s Newton Town Centre as part of their election campaigns. NDP Leader David Eby said that if his party returns to power, it will work with Surrey’s newly elected mayor, Doug McCallum, to extend SkyTrain along the King George Boulevard corridor to Newton. Eby said Surrey has received $12 billion in funding for major projects under the NDP government, more than any other community. He also accused the B.C. Conservatives of making unrealistic promises without a clear plan to deliver them. Meanwhile
air-canada-phone-bookings-get-more-expensive-with-an-extra-30-fee-per-passenger
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Air Canada Phone Bookings Get More Expensive, With an Extra $30 Fee Per Passenger

Air Canada has introduced a new non-refundable fee of $30 for each passenger when booking tickets through the airline’s telephone call centre. The charge is applied per passenger, meaning a family of four booking a flight through the call centre will have to pay an additional $120. However, the fee does not apply to bookings made through the airline’s website or mobile app. Air Canada said the move is intended to allow call centre agents to focus on passengers who need personalized assistance with reservations, travel disruptions or other travel-related issues. The airline clarified that t
harman-bhangu-expresses-disappointment-over-court-ruling-in-elderly-couples-murder-case
BCOct 20, 2026

Harman Bhangu Expresses Disappointment Over Court Ruling in Elderly Couple’s Murder Case

B.C. Conservative Leader Harman Bhangu has expressed disappointment over a B.C. Supreme Court ruling declaring unconstitutional a Criminal Code provision that prevents offenders from receiving parole earlier than otherwise permitted in connection with the murder of an elderly couple in his Abbotsford riding. Bhangu said 77-year-old Arnold De Jong and his 76-year-old wife, Joanne De Jong, were brutally murdered after being tied up and assaulted inside their own home. Three young men responsible for the crime have been convicted of first-degree murder. However, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Brenda

Related News