Prince George records nine toxic drug fatalities in October, setting new yearly high

The BC Coroners Service is reporting there were 155 suspected unregulated drug deaths in October.

That equates to about five per day.

According to the Coroners Service, this represents the lowest number of deaths from drug toxicity since September 2020 in BC, but the risk of harm and death remains high.

Through October, 1,925 people have died from unregulated drug toxicity in 2024, a nine per cent decrease when compared with the first ten months of 2023. (2,107 deaths.)

In Northern Health, 16 fatalities were recorded in October, with nine of them occurring in Prince George.

So far this year, Northern Health has tallied 180 drug deaths, with 99 of them occurring in Prince George.

Prince George saw 92 overdose deaths in 2023, which was a record.

Northern Health continues to have the highest drug death rate per 100,000 at 5.3.

Unregulated drug toxicity remains the leading cause of unnatural death for people in British Columbia aged 10 to 59, and accounts for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined.

Roughly half of the deaths reported were people between the ages of 30 and 49.

Males accounted for 78 per cent of the deaths in October.

However, none of the deaths recorded in October were for those under the age of 19.

Health Minister Josie Osborne issued the following statement in regards to the October report:

“Today’s report from the BC Coroners Service is a reminder of the ongoing devastation caused by the toxic-drug crisis and my heart goes out to the family, friends and colleagues of the 155 people we lost in October. Each of these people mattered deeply and their absence is felt by everyone who knew and loved them.

“The toxic-drug supply remains one of the most serious threats to public health, affecting people from all walks of life. While we have seen encouraging progress, with the lowest number of deaths in four years, there is still much work ahead.

“Mental-health care is health care and we are committed to making it accessible for everyone. We are building a system that provides life-saving tools, such as take-home naloxone and drug-checking services that can help people take their first steps toward recovery when they are ready. At the same time, we are taking action to expand treatment, recovery and crisis supports so everyone can receive timely, compassionate care without stigma or barriers.

“I also want to recognize the tireless efforts of those on the front lines – health-care professionals, community organizations, first responders, peer support workers and many others. Their dedication is at the heart of our response and their empathy in action keeps our communities safer every day.

“We cannot become indifferent to this crisis. Together, we must take bold, compassionate action to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need to survive and move toward recovery.”