162 people died of illicit drug overdoses in B.C. in October

Deaths from drug overdoses continue to take a huge toll in B.C. as 162 deaths were recorded in October, bringing the total, so far this year to 1,386.

October’s total is down from the peak of 185 in June and 184 in July but is the eighth consecutive month where there have been more than 100 drug overdose deaths in B.C.

So far this year, 50 of those deaths have been in Kamloops, 45 in Kelowna and 21 in Vernon. Penticton is not on the list put out by the B.C. Coroners Service.

"We are continuing to see record-breaking numbers of people dying in B.C. due to an unsafe drug supply in our province, and it's taking a toll on families and communities in this dual health emergency," Lisa Lapointe, B.C.’s chief coroner, said in a news release. "Challenges during COVID-19, such as access to key harm-reduction services and the toxic drug supply, including the extreme concentration of illicit fentanyl, are resulting in continuing significant and tragic loss of life across the province.

"We encourage clinicians to support those at risk of overdose by prescribing safe supply and reducing the numbers of lives lost to toxic substances. We also continue to advocate for an accessible, evidence-based and accountable treatment and recovery system for anyone experiencing problematic substance use who is seeking this medical assistance."

The October death toll is up 116 per cent from the 75 who died in October 2019.

By comparison, only 358 people have died of COVID-19 so far this year in B.C.

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