B.C. sets record for suspected illicit-drug overdose deaths in October

published on December 9, 2021 by Charlie Smith in Georgia Straight

The number of illicit-drug overdose deaths continues to climb in B.C.

Today (December 9), the B.C. Coroners Service revealed that there were 201 suspected fatalities from tainted street drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, illicit fentanyl, et cetera.

That’s the highest total in a single month in recorded history.

Over 10 months, 1,782 people are suspected to have died from tainted street drugs in B.C., eclipsing the number recorded in any calendar year.

The previous annual record was 1,765 deaths recorded in 2020.

So far this year, 79 percent of those dying from illicit-drug overdoses have been male. And 71 percent were between 30 and 59 years of age…