More Than 1,000 Lives Lost To Toxic Unregulated Drugs So Far In 2023

The province says the number of deaths in British Columbia due to drug toxicity decreased from near-record levels in April, to 176 lives lost in the month of May.

“BC Coroners Service findings confirm that this public-health emergency continues to be driven by illicit fentanyl,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner.

“Expedited testing in 2023 is positive for fentanyl in almost nine out of every 10 results, nearly double the positivity rate of methamphetamine and cocaine, the next most commonly identified substances. As long as people are reliant on the profit-driven unregulated market to access the substances they need, their lives are at risk.”

The updated reporting shows that 1,018 British Columbians were lost to unregulated drugs between January and May, a 2.9% increase during the same time frame last year.

The 176 total deaths in May represent a 19% decrease compared to the number of deaths reported in April (218) and equates to about 5.7 lives lost each day.

Unregulated drug toxicity is now the leading cause of death in British Columbia for people aged 10 to 59, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural disease combined.

Males accounted for 54% of deaths, and 62% of the deaths occurred among individuals between 17 and 18 years of age. More than 70% of the deaths occurred within private homes.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.