Overdose crisis

Parksville saw overdose-related emergency calls increase by over 40 per cent in 2021. 

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.

The first phase is expected to be in place for 18–24 months as data is collected to assess the approach.

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.

Orca Place staff told the city they did not believe the memorial would be therapeutic to residents.

Historical data from the BC Coroners Service shows half of the men who died from toxic drugs were employed and of those, 55 per cent worked in the trades and transport industry.