2022 has now seen the most illicit drug overdose deaths in BC through the first 7 months of any year since the data has been tracked.
According to the Coroners’ Service’s preliminary report, 192 people lost their lives to illicit drugs in July, 25 more than last July, and nearly 50 more than this June.
That brings the total number of deaths through July to 1,297, breaking last year’s record mark of 1,272 at the same point.
Northern Health saw 95 overdose deaths in July, enough to lead every authority with 53.2 deaths per 100,000 so far in 2022.
In the Northwest that rate increases further to 66 per 100,000, the second most of any region.
Through April, the Terrace Local Health Area has the third highest rate of deaths among all local health areas, with 107.9 deaths per 100,000 residents.
Comments