More Than 2,500 Lives Lost To Toxic Drugs Last Year

The BC Coroners Service confirms that toxic, unregulated drugs claimed the lives of at least 2,511 people in British Columbia in 2023, the largest number of drug-related deaths ever reported to the agency.

“Tragically, toxic, illicit drugs are continuing to cause unprecedented numbers of deaths across our province,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner.

“This crisis, driven primarily by unregulated fentanyl, has cost our province dearly in the loss of much-loved and valued members of our communities. We cannot bring our deceased loved ones back, but we can and must do much more to protect the lives of tens of thousands of our family members, friends and colleagues still at risk.”

The total number of lives lost in 2023 equates to an average of 6.9 deaths per day and is 5% more than the previous high of 2,383 deaths recorded in 2022.

About seven in every 10 people who died were aged between 30 and 59, and more than three quarters were male.

Notably, while rates of death increased in most age groups, there were declines in rates among persons aged 19-29 and those under 19 years.

As has been the case throughout the public health emergency, no area of B.C. was spared the devastation caused by toxic drugs in 2023.

The Vancouver-Centre North local health area, which includes Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, reported a rate of death more than 12 times greater than the provincial average.

The next highest rates were observed in Hope, Alberni/Clayoquot, Terrace and Greater Campbell River. Four of the province’s five regional health authorities saw record-high numbers and rates of death.

Toxicological testing confirms that illicit fentanyl continues to drive the toxic-drug crisis, appearing in more than 85% of test results conducted last year.

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

The lives of at least 13,794 British Columbians have been lost to unregulated drugs since the public-health emergency was first declared in April 2016.

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