16°C Vancouver

Feb 9, 2022 10:24 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. coroner's report shows illicit toxic drug deaths highest ever in 2021

Share On
b-c-coroners-report-shows-illicit-toxic-drug-deaths-highest-ever-in-2021
BC's chief coroner says the status quo of making illicit drugs a crime has been an abject and costly failure and officials have to admit it won't stop overdose deaths. (Photo - B.C. Govt.)

BC's chief coroner says the status quo of making illicit drugs a crime has been an abject and costly failure and officials have to admit it won't stop overdose deaths.

A coroner's report released today says 2,224 people died of suspected overdose deaths last year in BC, a jump of 26 per cent from the year before.

Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says making illicit drugs a crime has created chaos in communities, killed thousands across the country and made enormous profits for the drug trade.

She says it's hard to see why anyone would think it was an effective system because it has resulted in shame, fear and punishment, while targeting those who are most vulnerable.

Lapointe says provincial and federal government actions are needed immediately to decriminalize drugs, get more people a safe supply and give them greater access to drug treatment.

The coroner is finding more sedatives or benzodiazepines in testing those who died, and Lapointe says the opioid-reversing drug naloxone is less effective, which means more people will die.

Latest news

BCSep 02, 2025

Provincial Forest Advisory Council launches website, engagement process

The Provincial Forest Advisory Council (PFAC or the council) has launched a new website where people in British Columbia can learn about the council's work and share their input about the future of forestry in B.C. Announced in May 2025 by the Ministry of Forests, the council is an independent group of forestry experts tasked with developing recommendations for how to build a stronger, more stable forestry system that works for communities, the economy and the environment. The council's work will focus on understanding and articulating the underlying issues facing the forestry sector and the
alberta-government-pauses-ban-on-school-library-books-with-sex-content
AlbertaSep 02, 2025

Alberta government pauses ban on school library books with sex content

Alberta's education minister is directing school boards to pause a government order to remove books with explicit sexual content from libraries. Demetrios Nicolaides says in an email to school divisions and officials that they should pause any development or distribution of lists of books that are to be removed. He says the pause is in effect until further notice. A draft list from Edmonton Public Schools of books to be removed from libraries was leaked online last week. It contains more than 200 titles, including Margaret Atwood's ``The Handmaid's Tale,'' which prompted the au
female-arrested-after-stabbing-in-fort-st-john
BCSep 02, 2025

Female arrested after stabbing in Fort St John

28-year-old Kayla Breeze Trudeau has been taken into custody after a male was stabbed in a parking lot in Fort St John. On August 28, 2025, at approximately 1:46 p.m. Fort St John RCMP members responded to a report that a male had been stabbed in the chest in a parking lot near 99 Avenue and 100 Street in Fort St John, BC. Responding officers blocked 99 Avenue, investigated, and identified the female suspect who was arrested within 10 minutes of the initial call to the RCMP. The male victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Kayla Breeze Trudeau, who is known t
bc-rcmp-notifies-iio-of-incident-in-burnaby
BCSep 02, 2025

BC RCMP notifies IIO of incident in Burnaby

The BC RCMP has notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident in Burnaby which has resulted in one person being taken to hospital after an officer involved shooting. On Monday, September 1, 2025, at approximately 2:51 p.m. Burnaby RCMP received a call regarding a domestic dispute at a residence in the 4300 block of Dundas Street. When the responding officer arrived, they located a suspect with an edged weapon. An interaction occurred and shots were fired by police. The victim was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds. They are in serious condition.
BCSep 02, 2025

One person arrested after assault in Cranberry area

In the early morning of September 2, 2025, Powell River RCMP responded to an assault in progress on Irvine St. The male suspect fled on foot and a search involving Powell River RCMP, the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services and Air Services was initiated. Mowat Bay access was temporarily restricted to the public and the area was contained. The suspect was located in the area and he was arrested and taken into custody and will be held to appear in front of a Judge. There is no risk to public safety. All public areas in Cranberry are now open.

Related News