Listen Live

BC reports second-worst year for drug deaths since start of overdose crisis

Toxic drugs continue to take lives across the province, as 2,272 deaths were reported in 2022.

It was a decrease provincially, with 34 fewer deaths than the previous year, but some areas saw an increase.

Record high rates were recorded in Northern Health, Interior Health, and Island Health.

“British Columbians across the province are continuing to experience tremendous harm and loss as a result of the province’s toxic illicit drug supply,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner in a release.

“Our province continues to lose an average of six lives every day, and many more people experience serious health consequences as a result of the unpredictable, unregulated drug supply.”

There were 17 deaths in the East Kootenay last year and 30 in the Kootenay Boundary region.

Seventy per cent of last year’s deaths were people aged 30 to 59 and 79 per cent were male.

Drug toxicity deaths remain the leading cause of unnatural death in British Columbia.

It’s more than motor-vehicle accidents, self-harm and homicides combined.

Since the public health emergency was declared in 2016, there have been 11,171 deaths attributed to drug toxicity.

Josiah Spyker
Josiah Spyker
Josiah is an integral part of our East Kootenay team. Since joining Vista Radio in 2021, he has combined his love of community and sport in his reporting for the news team, while also stepping in as an on-air announcer.

Continue Reading

ckcv Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Middays With AJ

Join AJ Monday to Friday from 10 am-2 pm...

Adam Bremner-Akins joins B.C. Greens leadership slate

The B.C. Greens have announced Adam Bremner-Akins from Port Coquitlam as the third and final candidate in the party’s leadership race.

Drought and strong winds challenging firefighters in B.C.’s northeast

The B.C. Wildfire Service has warned today's strong winds expected across much of the province could lead to more extreme wildfire activity.

Website refresh surfaces more of your important local stories

Regular visitors to this website will have noticed some changes to the home page and other templates in recent days.

Three B.C. First Nations get federal funding for clean energy projects

Three First Nations in British Columbia will receive federal funding for clean energy projects.
- Advertisement -