Homeless deaths up almost 100% year-over-year in Northern Health

(With files by Will Peters-MyPGNow)

Downtown and homelessness have been the biggest issues discussed in this year’s municipal election campaigns, and for good reason.

A new report from the BC Coroners Service has seen a massive spike in deaths in our homeless population, with Northern Health seeing the death toll nearly double from 2020 to 2021.

In 2020, Northern Health had 11 homeless deaths. In the 10 years previous, 13 was the highest total. Last year, Northern Health saw 21 homeless people die.

Across the province, 247 deaths occurred in 2021, up 75% from the year prior.

91% of all accidental deaths were caused by illicit drugs.

For more information on the study, click here.