Toxic drug deaths down 15 per cent in B.C.: Coroners Service

Recent reporting from the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) shows at least 192 people died from the unregulated toxic drug supply in July — a notable decrease from the 226 deaths in the same month last year.

Despite the decrease of 15 per cent, the BCCS says people who use drugs in communities across the province face risk of significant injury or death.

“Unregulated toxic drugs continue to cause more loss of life in British Columbia than homicides, motor-vehicle incidents, suicides, and natural disease combined, tragically equating to about 6.2 people losing their lives each day,” said Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, chief coroner.

The report breaks down the deaths by region, noting that though the greatest number of deaths in July took place in cities, the highest rates — meaning deaths per population — were reported in the Northern and Vancouver Island health authorities.

BCCS says fentanyl was detected in nearly nine out of every 10 of the deaths that have undergone expedited toxicological testing.

The provincial minister of mental health and addictions, Jennifer Whiteside, says B.C. needs to urgently expand access to treatment and recovery.

“Getting help should be quick and easy, no matter where you live in British Columbia or where you are in your recovery journey,” said Whiteside in a statement Friday.

She and the chief coroner both noted that Saturday, Aug. 31 marks the annual International Overdose Awareness Day.

“These losses impact people far beyond our province, and we must not forget these are sons and daughters, parents and grandparents, co-workers and teammates,” said Baidwan.

Whiteside says that though the province has seen some progress with fewer deaths this year, it’s not an opportunity to become indifferent to this crisis.

“Every life lost is one too many. We must not, and will not, accept this as normal,” she said.

Harold Melbourne is an outreach supervisor in the Downtown Eastside. He and his team patrol the streets, checking up on people who may be experiencing toxic drug poisoning.

He says despite the data from the BC Coroners’ Service, he hasn’t noticed a decrease in toxic-drug-related deaths.

“Two to three times a week, we are applying Narcan or more,” Melbourne said.

“If there is no response, one of the outreach workers is on the phone with 911, the other one is applying Narcan. Every one of us carries a kit.”

Melbourne, who has lived experience using substances, says there aren’t enough resources available to help those who are ready to seek treatment.

“We need detox beds, and we need treatment beds. Many times we have people come through our doors, and we were unable to accommodate them because there were just not enough beds.”

Between January and July, the BCCS says 1,365 lives were lost to unregulated drug toxicity.

With files from Angela Bower.