Close X
Sunday, January 12, 2025
ADVT 
National

BC Coroners Service sees 'significant decline' in drug deaths, but reason unclear

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Dec, 2024 05:41 PM
  • BC Coroners Service sees 'significant decline' in drug deaths, but reason unclear

British Columbia has recorded its lowest monthly number of illicit drug overdose deaths in more than four years, part of what the BC Coroners Service says is a "significant decline" in fatalities this year.

A statement from the service says 1,925 people have died in overdoses this year, down nine per cent from the first 10 months of 2023. 

The 155 people who died from drug poisoning in October is also a drop from the 183 people who died in September.

The office says it doesn't have data to suggest why there are fewer deaths, but "it is consistent with reporting from other jurisdictions" and officials are working to understand the change.

Despite the improvement, unregulated toxic drugs remains the leading cause of unnatural death in B.C. for those aged 10 to 59, and account for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined. 

The service says 22 per cent of deaths in October were female, and in 2024, the rate of death among women and girls more than doubled what it was five years ago.

But there were no deaths in October due to unregulated drugs for people under 19.

Minister of Health Josie Osborne says in a statement that her heart goes out to the family, friends and colleagues of the 155 people who died.

"The toxic-drug supply remains one of the most serious threats to public health, affecting people from all walks of life. While we have seen encouraging progress, with the lowest number of deaths in four years, there is still much work ahead," she said.

MORE National ARTICLES

Suspicious activity with van

Suspicious activity with van
Police in Metro Vancouver say they're investigating two reports of suspicious interactions involving a man driving a white van approaching young girls. New Westminster police say they received the second report after issuing a public statement about the first interaction involving two 12-year-old girls on October 26th.

Suspicious activity with van

Pedestrian dies in vehicle crash

Pedestrian dies in vehicle crash
Ridge Meadows Mounties say a female pedestrian died last week after being struck by a vehicle in one of three crashes involving cyclists or pedestrians in the area in the last seven days. Police say the fatal crash happened on Lougheed Highway on October 25th, when the 49-year-old victim from Pitt Meadows died at the scene despite live-saving efforts from emergency workers.

Pedestrian dies in vehicle crash

Canadian election watchers to gather in bars, homes to watch polarizing U.S. vote

Canadian election watchers to gather in bars, homes to watch polarizing U.S. vote
Canadians engrossed in the drama of the U.S. presidential election expect to gather in bars and living rooms to watch the votes roll in Tuesday, but many say the usual fanfare of watch parties will be muted by anxiety over the especially combative race.

Canadian election watchers to gather in bars, homes to watch polarizing U.S. vote

Day parole extended for Kelly Ellard

Day parole extended for Kelly Ellard
The Parole Board of Canada has granted another six months of day parole to the woman who beat and drowned 14-year-old Reena Virk with an accomplice in 1997. Kerry Sim, formerly Kelly Ellard, has been allowed day parole regularly since 2017 and the latest decision says she has displayed "stable and cooperative" behaviour.

Day parole extended for Kelly Ellard

Union issues strike notice in B.C. port labour dispute, employers say

Union issues strike notice in B.C. port labour dispute, employers say
Employers at British Columbia's ports say they have received 72-hour strike notice from the union representing about 700 foremen in an ongoing labour dispute. The two sides had been negotiating with the help of a federal mediator for the last three days in a bid to avoid a work stoppage that would affect all ports in B.C.

Union issues strike notice in B.C. port labour dispute, employers say

Survivors call on Canada to criminalize residential school denialism

Survivors call on Canada to criminalize residential school denialism
Residential school survivors are calling on Canada to criminalize residential school denialism, echoing one of the findings in a report about unmarked graves and burial sites associated with the institutions. Doug George, a survivor of the Mohawk Institute, said Canadians need to acknowledge the schools' place in history and to ensure the children who died are not silenced.

Survivors call on Canada to criminalize residential school denialism