IllicitDrugToxicity

Ten people have died from illicit drug toxicity in the Oceanside local health area so far this year, according to the BC Coroners Service.

Over 1,200 people have died as a result of toxic drugs in the first seven months of 2021, according to the latest report from the BC Coroners Service.

Since January, the drug toxicity crisis has claimed 851 lives, including six in the Oceanside local health area.

An average of six people died every day from illicit drug toxicity in B.C. in April, according to the BC Coroners Service report.

Males accounted for 80 per cent of B.C.’s illicit drug toxicity deaths and over two-thirds of overdose deaths were people 30–59, the report said.

“Through province-wide decriminalization, we can reduce the fear and shame that keep people silent about their drug use,” said Sheila Malcolmson, minister of mental health and addictions.

There were seven illicit drug toxicity deaths in the central Vancouver Island region in February and 12 so far this year.