The latest available figures released by the B.C. Coroners Service show a record death toll from illicit drug overdoses through the first ten months of 2021. 1,782 people died, surpassing the 1,765 deaths recorded in 2020.
The data from November and December are not available yet but we know October in BC saw a single month record high of 201 illicit drug overdose fatalities. These deaths occurred in all age groups and in every local health area in the province.