Kamloops has now hit an all-time record for drug overdoses with 50 in a calendar year.
Its after there were seven more suspected fatal overdoses reported in the city last month, breaking the previous record of 46 set in 2018. In 2019, there were 25 suspected overdose deaths in Kamloops.
All told, the BC Coroners Service says there were 162 fatal overdoses across the province last month. Only Vancouver (325), Surrey (167), and Victoria (115) have reported more overdose deaths this year than Kamloops.
“This is the fifth month this year with more than 160 suspected illicit drug deaths reported to the BC Coroners Service and more than double the number of people who died as a result of a toxic drug supply in October 16,” said Chief Coroner, Lisa Lapointe.
“We are continuing to see record-breaking numbers of people dying in B.C. due to an unsafe drug supply in our province, and it͛s taking a toll on families and communities in this dual health emergency.”
Across B.C., there have now been 1,386 people killed by an overdose this year, averaging to about five people per day. With two months of data still to be counted this year, the province is on pace to pass the record overdose death total of 1,549 people set in 2018.
“Challenges during COVID-19, such as access to key harm reduction services and the toxic drug supply, including the extreme concentration of illicit fentanyl, are resulting in continuing significant and tragic loss of life across the province,” Lapointe added.
“Our hearts go out to those grieving the loss of family members, friends and colleagues.”