Another three people lost their lives to illicit drugs in Kamloops in the month of July, taking the total to 50 on the year.

That is according to the latest preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service, with 192 illicit drug deaths reported across the province, approximately 6.2 deaths per day.

It is still a 31 per cent increase from the 147 deaths in June.

Through the first seven months of the year, there have been 1,297 illicit drug deaths in British Columbia, a record for the first seven months in any calendar year.

“As they have for the past seven years, these numbers reflect the ever-present threat that illicit drugs pose to substance users across B.C.,” Lisa Lapointe, B.C.’s chief coroner, said.

“The unregulated drug market continues to be volatile and toxic, and anyone using drugs purchased from illicit suppliers is at high risk for serious harm or death. We continue to urge those using illicit drugs to access drug-checking services, where available, or visit overdose-prevention sites, where available.”

Kamloops set a yearly record with 78 illicit drug overdose deaths in 2021. With five more months to go, the City is on pace to surpass that number with 86 this year.

More to come