11.65°C Vancouver

Nov 30, 2022 8:16 PM - Connect News

At least 179 lives lost to toxic drugs in B.C. in October

Share On
at-least-179-lives-lost-to-toxic-drugs-in-b-c-in-october
Preliminary reporting from the BC Coroners Service shows that illicit drugs have caused the deaths of at least 1,827 British Columbians in the first 10 months of 2022. (Photo - The Canadian Press)

Preliminary reporting from the BC Coroners Service shows that illicit drugs have caused the deaths of at least 1,827 British Columbians in the first 10 months of 2022.

"Despite the efforts of many, this public-health emergency continues to devastate families thoughout our province," said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner. "The increased toxicity and variability of the illicit drug supply has created an environment where everyone who uses substances is at risk. This vulnerability is even greater for individuals who live outside the urban centres where the limited number of safer supply programs are currently focused."

Consistent with previous reporting, the data reflects the continued dangers that toxic drugs pose to substance users throughout the province. The 179 British Columbians lost to illicit drug toxicity in October 2022 equates to an average of approximately 5.8 deaths per day.

The reporting also further illustrates that the toxic drug crisis is impacting communities of all sizes. Although 453 deaths this year have occurred in Vancouver, these deaths account for only 25% of lives lost in 2022. Prince George and Nanaimo have already recorded more illicit drug-related deaths in 2022 than in any previous year, and both the Island and Northern health authorities are currently trending toward record losses of life for the year.

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 10,688 British Columbians have been lost to illicit drugs since the public-health emergency into substance-related harms was first declared in April 2016.

"This is not a matter of choosing one approach over another," Lapointe said. "The recommendations from both the Standing Committee on Health and two BC Coroners Service death review panels are clear: we must create a comprehensive continuum of care that supports people with substance-use disorders, and we must improve access to evidence-based options for treatment and recovery. Most importantly, as those reports recommended, it is imperative that access to safer supply is available in all areas of the province."

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

* In 2022, 70% of those dying were between the ages 30 and 59, and 78% were male.

* The townships reporting the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2022 are Vancouver, Surrey, and Greater Victoria.

* By health authority in 2022, the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths were in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities (547 and 511 deaths, respectively), making up 58% of all such deaths during 2022.

* By health authority in 2022, the highest rates of death have been in Northern Health (56 deaths per 100,000 individuals) and Vancouver Coastal Health (49 per 100,000). Overall, the rate in B.C. is 42 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2022.

* By Health Service Delivery Area in 2022, the highest rates have been in Vancouver, Northwest, Northern Interior, Thompson Cariboo and Fraser East.

* By Local Health Area in 2022, the highest rates were in Lillooet, Cowichan Valley West, Terrace, Alberni/Clayoquot and Merritt.

* 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.

Latest news

ontario-declares-measles-outbreak-over-after-more-than-2-300-infections
CanadaOct 09, 2025

Ontario declares measles outbreak over after more than 2,300 infections

A weekly Public Health Ontario epidemiology report says the measles outbreak that began in the province almost a year ago is over. The report says Ontario declared the end of the outbreak on Monday using national guidance that says an outbreak is complete 46 days after the onset of a rash in the last case. It says the last person to get measles linked to the outbreak got the rash on Aug. 21. The report says 2,375 people had been infected in the outbreak, spanning 26 public health units. The spread started on Oct. 18 last year after exposure to someone who got measles in New Bru
rcmp-sposu-make-significant-drug-seizure-and-four-arrests-in-ongoing-drug-trafficking-investigation
CanadaOct 09, 2025

B.C. police seize $1M in assets related to alleged drug-trafficking operation

Police in British Columbia say a six-month investigation into a suspected illicit drug trafficking ring they describe as large and "sophisticated" has led to four arrests and the seizure of more than $1 million in assets connected to the operation.RCMP say the trafficking operation is alleged to have supplied "large volumes" of illicit drugs across the province, from the Lower Mainland to the Okanagan.They say the probe that began last February led police to execute a search warrant last month at a home in Surrey's Guilford neighbourhood, where officers found illicit drugs as well as equipment
man-charged-in-hit-and-run-in-prince-george-b-c-that-killed-fundraising-cyclist
BCOct 09, 2025

Man charged in hit-and-run in Prince George, B.C., that killed fundraising cyclist

Charges have been laid against a man in relation to a hit-and-run in Prince George, B.C., that killed one cyclist and injured another who had been training for a local police and cancer fundraising event. RCMP say the accused, Thomas Phillips, faces multiple charges, including impaired driving causing death and failure to remain at the scene of an accident. The two cyclists were hit on July 7 as they trained for the Cops for Cancer Tour de North fundraising race, and Prince George RCMP confirmed later that one of the riders died. Police say the victim, Shane Kelly, had been involved in multipl
missing-person-for-location-aaron-bengry
CanadaOct 09, 2025

Missing Person for Location – Aaron Bengry

Surrey Police Service (SPS) and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) are requesting the public’s assistance to locate a 35-year-old missing man. Aaron Bengry was first reported missing to the Surrey RCMP in May 2023. Family members reached out to police after falling out of contact with Aaron over an extended period of time. Police have exhausted all efforts to locate Aaron without success and are hoping members of the community may have information on his whereabouts. Aaron was last seen in December 2021 in the 9600 block of King George Boulevard. Family or friends ha
WorldOct 09, 2025

Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai wins the Nobel Prize in literature

Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai has won the Nobel Prize in literature for his ``compelling and visionary oeuvre.'' His philosophical novels are often written in single sentences. They have been praised for their artistic depth. Several of his works including his debut ``Satantango'' have been adapted into films. The Nobel judges on Thursday highlighted his ability to see through social fragility while maintaining faith in art's power. The 71-year-old Krasznahorkai is the first Hungarian winner since 2002. He has previously received the Man Booker International Prize and the Nati

Related News