Nearly 600 people died from toxic drugs in B.C. in first 3 months of the year: coroners' service

Almost 600 people in British Columbia died in the first three months of 2023 becauseof the toxic drug supply,according to preliminary data released by the B.C. Coroners Service on Tuesday.

The toll of 596 deaths is the second highest number recorded for January to March since a public health emergency was declared in 2016 due to the crisis.The same period last year saw 599 deaths.

The latest figures released by the coroners' service show illicittoxic drugs claimed 177 lives in February and 197 in March.

"This is a crisis of incomprehensible scale, and I extend my deepest condolences to everyone who has experienced the loss of someone they loved," said chief coroner Lisa Lapointe in a statement Tuesday.

Of those who died, 71 per cent were between the ages of 30 and 59, and 77 per cent were male statistics that are similar to previous months.

Drug toxicity continues to be the leading cause of unnatural death in B.C., the coroners' service says, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, motor vehicle incidents, drownings and fire-related deaths combined.

It means thatat least 11,807 deaths have been caused by toxic drugs since the public health emergency was declared seven years ago.

WATCH | Advocates call for solutions on public health emergency's 7-year anniversary:

Moms Stop the Harm member remembers victims of the overdose crisis

1 year ago

Duration 1:24

Debbie Tablotney, a member of Moms Stop the Harm, remembered her son and thousands of others lost to the overdose crisis at a memorial marking seven years since the declaration of the public health emergency.

"The toxic drug crisis continues to devastate families and communities throughout the province, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to do everything possible to turn the tide and end this public health emergency," said Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whitesidein a statement.

Whiteside reiterated that the province's 2023 budget includes more than $1 billion to improve mental health and addictions services, including new treatment and recovery beds.

Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria are the areas experiencing the highest number of drug toxicity deaths, according to the latest data.

The highest rates of deathin 2023 so far have been in the Northern Health region, at 60 deaths per 100,000 individuals, and in theVancouver Coastal Health area (59 per 100,000).

No additional deaths were recorded at overdose prevention sites in February and March. Only two instances have previously been reported one in 2022 and one in January this year.