More than 200 people died in B.C. of illicit drug overdoses in January, latest data shows

The first report for the year into illicit drug toxicity in B.C. revealed more than 200 people died in January.

The first report for the year into illicit drug toxicity in B.C. revealed more than 200 people died in January.

Preliminary information released Friday by the B.C. Coroners Service showed 207 people died from suspected illicit drug overdoses in the first month of the year. That equates to about 6.7 deaths per day.

While slightly lower than the number of deaths recorded in the last two months of 2021, January's rate marks the fourth month in a row with 200 or more fatalities from suspected illicit drug toxicity. It also marks a 10 per cent increase over the number of deaths recorded in January 2021.

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the many families grieving the loss of a loved one in communities large and small," said Lisa Lapointe, B.C.'s chief coroner, in a news release.

"As we near the six-year anniversary of the declaration of B.C.’s public health emergency into substance-related harms, it is clearer than ever that traditional approaches to substance use are hurting people and costing lives." 

The data released Friday once again showed that those aged 30 to 59 were most significantly impacted, with people in that age group making up 72 per cent of the deaths. More than eight-in-10 were men and data suggests the overdose death rate in men has increased in recent months.

In 83 per cent of the deaths, fentanyl was detected. The BCCS' toxicology results suggest extreme fentanyl concentrations increased in November, December and January compared to previous months.