PG on pace to set a new record for overdose deaths in 2024

A combined 370 lives were lost to a toxic drug overdose in BC during August and September according to data released by the Coroners Service.

Those numbers equate to about six deaths per day on average.

During the two-month span, Northern Health recorded 25 fatalities, 17 of those occurred in Prince George.

So far this year, Northern Health has tallied 160 toxic drug deaths, 90 of which were recorded in Prince George – that is just one behind the record number of overdose deaths set last year (91).

Province-wide, 1,749 people have lost their lives due to toxic drugs – however, this represents a 9% year-over-year decline when compared to the first nine months of 2023.

In 2024, 70% of those who died were between the ages of 30 to 59 – 74% were male.

In addition, the rate of death among females is up on a year-over-year basis. This year, the death rate is 21 per 100,000 – 60% higher than it was in 2020.

Northern Health continues to have the highest death rate among all health authorities with a mark of 70.3 – the next highest is Island Health at 52.3.

In terms of Health Service Delivery Area, the Northern Interior, which includes PG-Quesnel-Burns Lake and the Robson Valley has the highest drug toxicity death rate of 92.1 – North Vancouver Island is the next closest at 76.0.

Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death for people in British Columbia between the ages of 10 and 59, and accounts for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural disease combined