2024 saw over 2,250 lives lost to toxic drugs in BC.
According to a report from the BC Coroners Service, a total of 2,253 people died from toxic drugs, a 13 percent decrease from the number in 2023.
The rate of death was 40 per 100,000 people, the lowest rate number in the last four years.
Chief coroner Dr. Jatinder Baidwan says while the number of deaths has lowered, all of the deaths left behind grieving loved ones, friends, colleagues, and teammates.
“Our thoughts are with all of those many, many people who have been touched by this crisis,” said Baidwan.
The report shows on the Island and Coast, the Greater Campbell River area saw the highest rate of death at 109.
Seven in every 10 deaths were between the ages of 30 and 59, with nearly three-quarters of them being men. For women, the death rate was 20 per 100,000, one less than the rate of 21 in 2023.
The service says while fentanyl remains the main factor in the deaths, cocaine, fluorofentanyl, methamphetamine, and bromazolam were some of the other common substances found.
