Coroners Service reports decline in overdose deaths in October

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The BC Coroners Service is reporting a significant decline in the number of overdose deaths in October compared to prior months.

According to the latest report from the service, issued on December 9th, there were 155 overdose deaths in October across the province, down from 183 in September.

Despite the decline, a statement from Josie Osborne, the Minister of Health, says the deaths still serve as a “reminder of the ongoing devastation caused by the toxic-drug crisis.”

“Each of these people mattered deeply and their absence is felt by everyone who knew and loved them,” Osborne said.

Northern Health saw 16 deaths from overdoses in its coverage area in October, up from 13 in September.

That equates to roughly 5.3 unregulated drug deaths per 100,000 people in the Northern Health region, the highest such rate in the province.

Only one of those overdose deaths was reportedly in the northeast, down from five in September.

Fentanyl has been detected in 83 per cent of all unregulated drug deaths so far in 2024 in the Northern Health area, a slight decrease from 85 per cent in 2023.

The overall number of unregulated drug deaths in the province so far this year is 1,925, nine per cent less than had died by the same time in 2023.

“”The toxic-drug supply remains one of the most serious threats to public health, affecting people from all walks of life,” Osborne’s statement continued.

“While we have seen encouraging progress, with the lowest number of deaths in four years, there is still much work ahead.”