In greater Nanaimo 94 deaths last year were attributed to the ongoing toxic drug crises, which was declared as a provincial health emergency in April 2016. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

toxic drugs

Drug toxicity deaths remain high, but decline across B.C., including Nanaimo

Feb 4, 2025 | 2:19 PM

NANAIMO — Toxic drug death province-wide fell by 13 per cent last year, representing an encouraging trend.

New BC Coroners Service (BCCS) data showed 2,253 British Columbians died from tainted drugs in 2024, down from a record high 2,578 in 2023.

Toxic drug deaths in B.C. have dropped for a fourth consecutive year.

According to BCCS data, the greater Nanaimo region reported 94 illicit drug deaths last year, the second most recorded annually during the ongoing toxic drug crisis.

In 2023, a record 114 deaths were attributed to toxic drugs in greater Nanaimo.

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Across the vast central Vancouver Island region, 187 deaths were reported last year, behind a record-setting 217 in 2023.

Early last year Nanaimo was on track to set a grim new record of toxic drug deaths when 28 fatalities were reported in only the first two months.

Of concern for the BCCS is the sharp rise in females dying from toxic drugs across the province, with 20 deaths per 100,000 women recorded last year, up more than 50 per cent from 2020.

The BCCS reported about 70 per cent of toxic drug death victims province-wide last year were between 30 and 59 years of age, while nearly 75 per cent were male.

A vast majority of toxic drug deaths across the province were fentanyl-related, with a majority of victims dying following smoking drugs.

Graph demonstrating the devastating impacts of the ongoing toxic drug crises across B.C. (BCCS)

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