Despite seeing fewer illicit drug overdose deaths this June than the last two, BC remains on pace to break last year’s record total.
According to the most recent preliminary report from the Coroners’ Service, the province saw 146 deaths in June, down from 175 in June of last year and 190 the year before.
But, through June, the province has seen 1,095 toxic drug-related deaths, breaking the record 1,071 recorded at the same point in 2021.
While Northern Health may have reported the fewest total deaths so far this year with 81, they also have the highest rate of deaths at 52.9 per 100,000 residents.
In the Northwest, that rate climbs further to 56.4 per 100,000, the fourth highest of BC’s 16 service delivery areas.
Fentanyl has been detected in 83 percent of deaths so far this year, and 87 percent in the North since 2020.
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