The toxic drug supply caused eight more deaths in Prince George during the month of June, according to new data released Wednesday by the BC Coroners Service.
The total number of deaths from illicit drugs in Prince George so far this year is 39.
Seven more deaths were reported in other areas of Northern Health last month. Northern Health continues to have the highest rates of death in B.C. (60 deaths per 100,000 individuals) with Vancouver Coastal Health at 57 per 100,000. Overall, the rate of death in B.C. is 45 deaths per 100,000 individuals.
Provincially, there were 184 suspected toxic drug deaths in June or more than six people per day. More than 1,200 deaths in B.C. attributed to toxic drugs in the first six months of this year.
"British Columbia is continuing to lose community members at record rates as a result of the toxicity of the unregulated drug market ," said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner. "Illicit fentanyl continues to drive the crisis, which is causing deaths in large and small municipalities, towns and cities across the province. This health emergency is not confined to one neighbourhood or one demographic. Anyone accessing an illicit substance is at risk of serious harm or death."
As has been the case for more than a decade, illicit fentanyl continues to be the primary driver in unregulated drug deaths. Fentanyl and/or a fentanyl analogue was present in more than 90% of expedited toxicological testing in June, while nearly three-quarters of tests indicated the presence of a stimulant. Almost all unregulated drug deaths are the result of mixed drug toxicity.
Consistent with historical trends, more than 80% of reported deaths in 2023 have occurred indoors, with nearly half taking place in a private residence. Smoking continues to be the predominant mode of consumption in suspected unregulated drug deaths, with nearly seven out of every 10 investigations indicating that the decedent smoked their substances.
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 12,509 British Columbians have been lost to unregulated drugs since the public health emergency was first declared in April 2016.
