There were 80 toxic drug deaths in the City of Kamloops according to new preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service.

That makes 2023 the second deadliest year on record, behind the 92 such deaths that were reported in 2022.

Across British Columbia, there were 2,511 toxic drug deaths reported, a five per cent increase from the 2,383 such deaths in 2022, making 2023 the worst year on record.

“Tragically, toxic, illicit drugs are continuing to cause unprecedented numbers of deaths across our province,” Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said.

“This crisis, driven primarily by unregulated fentanyl, has cost our province dearly in the loss of much-loved and valued members of our communities. We cannot bring our deceased loved ones back, but we can and must do much more to protect the lives of tens of thousands of our family members, friends and colleagues still at risk.”

The data released Wednesday shows there were 220 deaths reported across B.C. in November and 219 in December. Data from other months was also rectified as more death investigations were completed.

Lapointe says there was average of 6.9 toxic drug deaths a day in 2023. About 70 per cent of the people who died were between the age of 30 and 59, and a vast majority of the victims were men.

The BC Coroners Service also say that fentanyl and its analogues were detected in more than 85 per cent of test results conducted in 2023, with hydromorphone detected in about three per cent of tests.

Lapointe says there have been at least 13,794 British Columbians who have lost their lives since the province declared a public health emergency in April 2016.

“As we approach the eighth anniversary of the declaration of the public-health emergency that has cost so many lives across B.C., our province needs a coordinated, evidence-based response that is commensurate with the scale of this health crisis,” Lapointe added.

“Deaths due to drug toxicity are preventable, and I urge our political leaders at all levels to collaborate on a thoughtful, comprehensive plan that puts people first.”

You can find more information from the BC Coroners Service here.