Listen Live
Listen Live
Listen Live

2022 shaping up as possible record-breaker in terms of illicit drug deaths

More grim numbers today from the BC Coroners Service on the number of suspected drug overdoses so far in 2022.

Northern Health continues to have the highest rate of death out of the health authorities at 56.1 people per 100 thousand.

There have been 143 suspected illicit drug deaths through October, and there were 155 in all of 2021.

Interior Health has a death rate of 45.3 people per 100,000.

“Despite the efforts of many, this public-health emergency continues to devastate families throughout our province,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner. “The increased toxicity and variability of the illicit drug supply has created an environment where everyone who uses substances is at risk. This vulnerability is even greater for individuals who live outside the urban centres where the limited number of safer supply programs are currently focused.”

Breaking it down further, the Northern Interior Health Service Delivery area, which includes Quesnel, has had 78 suspected overdoses so far this year.

There were 81 in all of 2021.

And the Cariboo/Chilcotin Health Service Delivery Area, which includes Williams Lake and 100 Mile House, has had 121 suspected overdoses so far this year.

There were 149 in 2021.

Province-wide, there were 5.8 suspected illicit drug deaths per day in October.

“This is not a matter of choosing one approach over another,” Lapointe said. “The recommendations from both the Standing Committee on Health and two BC Coroners Service death review panels are clear: we must create a comprehensive continuum of care that supports people with substance-use disorders, and we must improve access to evidence-based options for treatment and recovery. Most importantly, as those reports recommended, it is imperative that access to safer supply is available in all areas of the province.”

Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Continue Reading

ckbx Now playing play

cffm Now playing play

ckcq Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Williams Lake City Council Supporting Pickleball While Looking for Court Location Ideas

The Williams Lake City Council will be looking into recommendations for locations to build a Pickleball court in the community. The Council reiterates its support to the Williams Lake Pickleball Club in finding a space for the Club to 'call a home."

Cariboo Regional District Board approves security fencing installation recommendation

Sections of the Cariboo Regional District's office in Williams Lake will look a little different in the near future.

100 Mile RCMP Investigating Mailbox Break-Ins

The 100 Mile House RCMP have received reports of mailboxes being broken into at the 4000 block of Telqua Drive near the 108 Mile Golf Resort. RCMP says Canada Post has been notified and is aware of the incidents that have been reported over the last few weeks.

The 2025 Quesnel Ambassadors Have Been Crowned

The 2025 Quesnel Ambassadors were crowned and announced in a ceremony on July 12th. The ceremony also thanked last year's Quesnel Ambassadors for their time representing Quesnel's Youth throughout the year.

B.C’s youth watchdog says more work needs to be done, one year after report on systemic failures

One year after a report by British Columbia's Child and Youth Representative on the horrific death of an Indigenous boy in care, the province is still working on an action plan for systemic changes to children and youth social services.
- Advertisement -