Province sees 146 deaths due to illicit drug toxicity during August

The BC Coroners Service published the latest numbers for the illicit drug toxicity and fentanyl-detected deaths for August this morning.

Unfortunately, the province saw 146 illicit drug toxicity deaths, a 71% rise from the 86 at the same point last year. Though the numbers are high, it was still less than the 176 deaths that occurred in July.

With the new numbers, the BC Coroners Service has now recorded six straight months of at least 100 overdose deaths. Of the 146 illicit drug toxicity deaths, 103 were believed to be caused by fentanyl.

Once again, post-mortem testing data this month shows an increase in deaths with "extreme fentanyl concentrations." This pattern has been similar in April, May, June and July.

By city, Vancouver has seen the most illicit drug toxicity deaths this year with 259. They are followed by Surrey with 130 and Victoria with 95.

In the Interior, Kelowna and Kamloops have both had 36 deaths. Prince George is not far behind with 29. During August, the whole Interior saw just 15 illicit drug toxicity deaths, 12 less than July and 14 less than June.

Despite fewer deaths last month, the Interior's illicit drug toxicity death rate per 100,000 is still the highest in the province at 30.0.

To date, the province has seen 1,068 overdose deaths. That number is already 85 higher than the total deaths last year.

For the full report, click here.