Fifteen people in Nanaimo died due to illicit drugs in the first four months of 2022. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

ongoing crisis

Drug toxicity deaths remain high across BC, including surge on Central Island

Jun 9, 2022 | 12:59 PM

NANAIMO — While the number of people losing their lives to illicit drugs in B.C. is below last year’s record-setting mark, another devastating year in the extended public health emergency is materializing.

New data from the BC Coroners Service showed 722 people died due to toxic illicit drugs in the first four months of the year across the province, which eclipses the 721 deaths from tainted drugs during the same period last year.

2022 is projected to be the second deadliest year in the ongoing toxic drug crisis.

In Nanaimo, 15 deaths due to toxic drugs were recorded this year through the end of April — an indication 2022 could be one of the worst years locally in terms of fatalities from tainted drugs.

Three of those deaths occurred in the Harbour City in April.

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A record 56 people in Nanaimo lost their lives due to illicit drug use in 2017, while last year saw the second-highest amount with 49 deaths locally.

BC Coroners Service data outlines the damage of the ongoing drug toxicity crisis in the province over the past decade. (BC Coroners Service)

The wider central Vancouver Island region registered 41 toxic drug deaths through the end of April, which is on track for the highest number of fatalities on record regionally.

While the first four months of the year are a relatively small sample size, central Vancouver Island registered a toxic drug death rate of nearly 41 people per 100,000, the highest rate in the vast region’s history.

The Central Vancouver Island zone stretches from Ladysmith to the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area, while also including the Alberni Valley and West Coast.

Across the province, 161 people died of toxic drugs in April — equal to about 5.4 deaths per day.

In a statement Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said drug users are at risk every time they purchase from an unregulated market.

“Until a safer, regulated supply is widely accessible, I encourage those using drugs to use only in the presence of someone who can provide help and call for medical assistance if that’s required,” Lapointe stated.

Two toxic drug bulletins from Island Health have been issued for the Nanaimo area so far this year.

British Columbia had a record number of toxic drug fatalities of 2,236 last year, while the province is on pace for nearly 2,200 more deaths in 2022.

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