B.C. overdoses

The BC Coroner Service is reporting 175 unregulated drug deaths in September 2023. A protester holds a sign that reads, “Help test our dope before we go up in smoke.” People marched along Powell Street toward Main Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event marking the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug deaths in B.C. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

Nearly 6 people died per day from unregulated drugs in September: B.C. coroner

Latest data shows a 10% decrease from September 2022

 

Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe provides an update on illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Overdoses from smoking toxic drugs outpace B.C. prevention sites

Chief coroner says more supervised places required

 

Chadd Cawson greets young Anna Park at the start of the event in Crofton. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Special performances, walk mark International Overdose Awareness Day in Crofton

Organizer pleased with the response for a first-time event

 

Heather Gordon Murphy speaks about the art project she spearheaded for this year’s event. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Seventy four people lost their lives due to drug toxicity on North Island last year

Campbell River mourns losses at International Overdose Awareness Day

Heather Gordon Murphy speaks about the art project she spearheaded for this year’s event. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Bylaw asking people to move on after sleeping under the awning at the Pandosy Street Interior Health building on March 6. (Jen Zielinski/Capital News)

253 overdose deaths in first 7 months of 2023: Interior Health

Many patients are having three times the difficulty accessing services

Bylaw asking people to move on after sleeping under the awning at the Pandosy Street Interior Health building on March 6. (Jen Zielinski/Capital News)
A program that is the first of its kind in Canada aims to help British Columbians living with mild to moderate overdose-related brain injuries. The Cognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation for Substance Use program provides specialized supports for people who use substances including opioids and alcohol. A used naloxone kit is seen on the sidewalk as paramedics respond to a drug overdose in downtown Vancouver on June 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Innovative program helps B.C. patients with brain injuries from toxic drug poisonings

‘We will be really closely watching this program, evaluating and looking for opportunities to scale this up’

A program that is the first of its kind in Canada aims to help British Columbians living with mild to moderate overdose-related brain injuries. The Cognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation for Substance Use program provides specialized supports for people who use substances including opioids and alcohol. A used naloxone kit is seen on the sidewalk as paramedics respond to a drug overdose in downtown Vancouver on June 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Elizabeth and Kevin Sawatzky on their wedding day. They were happy and looking forward to a long life together, but a drug overdose took all of that away. (submitted photo)

Chilliwack drug overdose victim leaves grieving family behind

Elizabeth Sawatzky dreamed of a long life with husband Kevin until toxic drugs took him away

Elizabeth and Kevin Sawatzky on their wedding day. They were happy and looking forward to a long life together, but a drug overdose took all of that away. (submitted photo)
Paramedic-assisted calls for drug poisoning and overdoses in Campbell River since 2016. Graphic by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror, data from BCEHS

Campbell River sees over 500 paramedic-attended drug poisoning or overdose calls in 2022

Highest year since start of public health emergency declared in 2016

Paramedic-assisted calls for drug poisoning and overdoses in Campbell River since 2016. Graphic by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror, data from BCEHS
Island Health is announcing a new text message alert service to notify people about overdose advisories. (News Bulletin photo)

Island Health starts up text alert service to share overdose advisories

Project a partnership with BCCDC and Provincial Health Services Authority

Island Health is announcing a new text message alert service to notify people about overdose advisories. (News Bulletin photo)
The Victoria Police Department says a woman tried to stop paramedics from providing life-saving medical care to a person experiencing an opioid overdose. (Black Press Media file photo)

Woman arrested after allegedly assaulting Victoria officer, obstructing paramedics

A VicPD officer says he sustained non-life-threatening injuries

  • Dec 6, 2022
The Victoria Police Department says a woman tried to stop paramedics from providing life-saving medical care to a person experiencing an opioid overdose. (Black Press Media file photo)
Paramedics work to revive a person from an apparent drug overdose in Chilliwack. (Black Press Media file photo)

Mapping where overdoses are more likely to kill in B.C.

Fatality rates far higher in rural areas than urban ones

  • Dec 6, 2022
Paramedics work to revive a person from an apparent drug overdose in Chilliwack. (Black Press Media file photo)
Signs pinned up by Moms Stop the Harm members outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. An increase in toxic drug poisonings prompted Island Health to extend an overdose advisory for Greater Victoria on Aug. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

Overdose advisory extended in Greater Victoria

Island Health says there’s an increased risk of drug poisonings in the region

Signs pinned up by Moms Stop the Harm members outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. An increase in toxic drug poisonings prompted Island Health to extend an overdose advisory for Greater Victoria on Aug. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)
People hold banners during a march to remember those who died during the overdose crisis and to call for a safe supply of illicit drugs on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. British Columbia’s chief coroner says at least 1,011 people died from suspected illicit drug overdoses from January to June, the highest death toll recorded in the first six months of a calendar year during the province’s overdose crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. sees record high 1,095 toxic drug deaths in first 6 months of 2022

At least 10,000 people have died of toxic drugs since the 2016 public health emergency declaration

People hold banners during a march to remember those who died during the overdose crisis and to call for a safe supply of illicit drugs on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. British Columbia’s chief coroner says at least 1,011 people died from suspected illicit drug overdoses from January to June, the highest death toll recorded in the first six months of a calendar year during the province’s overdose crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
British Columbia’s overdose Mobile Response Team has provided critical incident support and training to more than 6000 individuals who are working on the front lines combating the province’s overdose crisis. (Black Press files)

195 toxic drug deaths recorded in May, highest ever for that month in B.C.

The latest figure is a 13 per cent increase over the 172 deaths recorded in May 2021

British Columbia’s overdose Mobile Response Team has provided critical incident support and training to more than 6000 individuals who are working on the front lines combating the province’s overdose crisis. (Black Press files)
A man participating in a rally for more family doctors holds up a sign outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Overdoses, healthcare crises spur Victoria protests at premiers’ meeting

Groups gathered outside the Fairmont Empress in side-by-side calls for action

A man participating in a rally for more family doctors holds up a sign outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users president Lorna Bird says her dog Joy can tell when someone is overdosing. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Overdose detecting dogs save lives, lift spirits in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

When someone overdoses at VANDU, pups Guess and Joy are quick to alert the nearest human

Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users president Lorna Bird says her dog Joy can tell when someone is overdosing. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Paramedics across B.C. and here in Penticton are attending one overdose a day on average in 2021 with no end in sight to the toxic drug supply. The opioid crisis has left B.C. paramedics struggling with mental health issues. (ADOBE STOCK IMAGE)

Paramedics threatened while providing life-saving measures in Penticton

Paramedics were providing care to an unconscious person at the homeless shelter

Paramedics across B.C. and here in Penticton are attending one overdose a day on average in 2021 with no end in sight to the toxic drug supply. The opioid crisis has left B.C. paramedics struggling with mental health issues. (ADOBE STOCK IMAGE)
A person receives a tested supply of cocaine after gathering to remember those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

174 British Columbians – 6 under the age of 19 – died of toxic drug poisonings in February

That makes February the 17th consecutive month in which more than 150 lives were lost in B.C.

A person receives a tested supply of cocaine after gathering to remember those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A sacred fire was held Sunday, Feb. 27 in Williams Lake to honour the lives of people who recently lost their lives. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Sacred fire lit after overdoses claim 3 lives over 4 days in Tsilhqot’in Nation

“It has been very hard on communities,” said Joyce Cooper of the Tsilhqot’in Women’s Council

A sacred fire was held Sunday, Feb. 27 in Williams Lake to honour the lives of people who recently lost their lives. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Overdose death rates for Campbell River per 100,000 people have risen since 2016. Graphic by Marc Kitteringham / Campbell River Mirror

Campbell River sees highest overdose death rate since 2016

26 people died from illicit drug toxicity in the greater Campbell River area in 2021

Overdose death rates for Campbell River per 100,000 people have risen since 2016. Graphic by Marc Kitteringham / Campbell River Mirror