Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

BC Coroners Service blames illicit drug supply for 184 deaths in June

Darpan News Desk, 19 Jul, 2023 10:26 AM
  • BC Coroners Service blames illicit drug supply for 184 deaths in June

The BC Coroners Service says 184 people died in the province in June due to the toxic, unregulated drug supply that has claimed more than 1,200 lives in the first half of this year. 

The coroners service says the numbers show how risky it continues to be for users who access their drugs on the illicit market. 

Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe says illicit fentanyl is the main culprit driving the crisis in towns and cities big and small across British Columbia. 

Lapointe says the overdose crisis is a health emergency affecting all people who get their drugs from the illicit market, and not confined to any one neighbourhood or demographic. 

The coroners service says 90 per cent of all drugs tested in June showed the presence of fentanyl, and three quarters of the samples tested positive for a stimulant.

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside says the deaths are irreplaceable losses, and thanked health-care workers and other first responders for their work preventing more fatalities. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Victims of fatal 2021 B.C. library stabbing describe shattered lives at sentencing

Victims of fatal 2021 B.C. library stabbing describe shattered lives at sentencing
Yannick Bandaogo, 30, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and several attempted murder charges earlier this year. Several victims spoke before Justice Geoffrey R.J. Gaul of the B.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday, including the mother of the lone victim killed in the attack.  

Victims of fatal 2021 B.C. library stabbing describe shattered lives at sentencing

B.C. health registry expansion aims to connect patients with family doctors: minister

B.C. health registry expansion aims to connect patients with family doctors: minister
Health Minister Adrian Dix says the expanded Health Connect Registry, which launched July 1, aims to make it easier for B.C. patients to get a family doctor or nurse practitioner in their community by signing up for a primary-care provider.

B.C. health registry expansion aims to connect patients with family doctors: minister

Delta woman charged with fraud

Delta woman charged with fraud
31-year-old Tarndeep Uppal, of North Delta, has been charged with one count of theft of credit card and identity information. Fourteen counts of fraud under $5000. Uppal has been released with conditions not to possess credit cards, identification or data in any other name but her own.

Delta woman charged with fraud

B.C. officials warn of lightning-caused wildfires expected this week

B.C. officials warn of lightning-caused wildfires expected this week
Cliff Chapman, operations director for the BC Wildfire Service, said the lightning that's expected to be "widespread" across the province is more likely to hit higher, mountainous terrain, but strikes are also possible in or around communities.

B.C. officials warn of lightning-caused wildfires expected this week

Provincial climate action tax credit being distributed

Provincial climate action tax credit being distributed
The finance ministry says payments are set to arrive in the bank accounts of more than two million people after the province increased credit payments to help offset inflation.   

Provincial climate action tax credit being distributed

City councillor in Merritt, B.C., struck and killed in apparent hit-and-run: mayor

City councillor in Merritt, B.C., struck and killed in apparent hit-and-run: mayor
The mayor of Merritt, B.C., says a city councillor has been killed in an apparent hit-and-run crash outside another community. Mayor Michael Goetz says he understands Coun. Claire Newman had been on her way to meet her husband ahead of a planned trip to Alaska to visit an ailing friend.

City councillor in Merritt, B.C., struck and killed in apparent hit-and-run: mayor