British Columbia has reported its lowest monthly number of illicit drug overdose deaths in over four years, signaling a significant decrease in fatalities this year according to the BC Coroners Service.
The service disclosed that 1,925 individuals have lost their lives to overdoses this year, marking a nine percent decline from the first 10 months of 2023.
In October, 155 people succumbed to drug poisoning, a decrease from the 183 deaths recorded in September.
While the reason for the decline in deaths remains unclear, officials are acknowledging the trend and are actively seeking to comprehend the shift.
Despite the positive development, unregulated toxic drugs continue to be the primary cause of unnatural death for individuals aged 10 to 59 in B.C., surpassing the combined deaths from homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural diseases.
In October, 22 percent of the deaths were females, with the fatality rate among women and girls more than doubling compared to five years ago.
Related Stories
No deaths occurred in October due to unregulated drugs among individuals under 19 years old.
Minister of Health, Josie Osborne, expressed her condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the 155 individuals who passed away.
She emphasized, “The toxic-drug supply remains one of the most serious threats to public health, impacting individuals from all backgrounds. While we are witnessing positive progress with the lowest number of deaths in four years, there is still much work to be done.”
