BC’s toxic drug crisis has once again hit tragic new highs, with 1,644 illicit drug overdose deaths being reported through September of this year.
That surpasses last year’s record mark through the first 9 months of a year, according to the most recent report from the Coroners’ Service.
A total of 171 individuals lost their lives to illicit drugs in September alone, two more than in August, and 12 more than last September.
Northern Health has seen 126 illicit overdose deaths so far this year, with 38 coming from the Northwest.
At 54.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, Northern Health also has the highest rate of deaths among any health authority in BC.
In the Terrace Local Health Area, that rate jumps even higher to 101.2, the third highest of any Local Health Area.
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