Toxic-Drug Supply Claims Nearly 2,300 Lives In 2022

The province says at least 2,272 British Columbians lost their lives to toxic drugs in 2022, as as the drug toxicity public health emergency continues into its eighth year.

Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe says the province continues to lose an average of six lives every day, and many more people experience serious health consequences as a result of the unpredictable, unregulated drug supply.

Death due to drug toxicity remains the leading cause of unnatural death in British Columbia and is second only to cancers in terms of years of life lost.

The number of deaths being investigated by the BC Coroners Service in 2022 is the second-largest total ever in a calendar year, and only 34 fewer than the deaths reported to the agency in 2021.

Toxic drugs were responsible for an average of 189 deaths per month in 2022, or 6.2 lost lives each and every day. The final number for 2022 will almost certainly increase as investigations are completed and final causes of death are established.

While the Vancouver Centre-North Local Health Authority (which includes the city's Downtown Eastside area) recorded the largest number of deaths in 2022, that total accounts for only 14% of the number of lives lost in BC.

At least 11,171 deaths have been attributed to the illicit drug toxicity since the public health emergency was first declared in April 2016.

To help combat the crisis, yesterday, a new law came into effect decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of certain drugs for personal use. That doesn't mean things should be considered a "free for all." Vancouver Airport reminding people that controlled substances are still illegal at the airport and border crossings.

The City of Campbell River passed a bylaw last week ahead of the new decriminalization rules taking effect, making it illegal to consume drugs on public property. Those who get caught face a $200 fine.

In 2022, 70% of those who died were aged 30-59, and 79% were male.

Dr. Nel Wieman, acting chief medical officer for the First Nations Health Authority notes that First Nations people continue to be disproportionately impacted by the ongoing crisis, saying it leads one to consider whether the issue is receiving the level of priority it deserves.

He says illicit drugs are killing First Nations people at five times the rate of the general population.