B.C. on track for record-breaking year for illicit overdose deaths: coroner

In the midst of dual public health emergencies, the BC Coroners Service continues to urge extreme caution due to the increasingly toxic illicit drug supply in British Columbia.

The BC Coroners Service reports 153 suspected drug toxicity deaths in November 2020, an 89% increase over November 2019 (81), and a 7% decrease over the number of deaths in October 2020 (164).

The latest data is equal to five people per day losing theirlives to illicit drug overdoses."Tragically, as we reach the end of 2020, our province is facing a record-breaking year for lives lost due to a toxic illicit drug supply," said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner.

"In the five years of this public health emergency, more than 6,500 families haveexperienced the grief and sadness of losing a loved one to the challenging medical condition of drug addiction. I extend my sincere condolences to all of those grieving a family member, friend or colleague due to this disease."

There have been 1,548 illicit drug deaths to date in 2020 in B.C., and the number of deaths in each health authority is at or near the highest ever monthly totals.

Toxicology results suggest a greater number of cases with extreme fentanyl concentrationsfrom April to November 2020 compared with previous months.