There were another 127 suspected overdose deaths in B.C. in September – an increase of 112-per cent compared to the same month last year, which saw 60 overdose deaths.

It marks seven straight months with over 100 deaths this year, though data from the BC Coroners Service shows the number of deaths were down 15 per cent from the 150 in August, with September being the third straight month with a drop in the number of deaths after a record 183 in June.

Seven of those deaths were in Kamloops which has now had 43 overdose deaths through the first nine months of the year, just three fewer than the record 46 deaths reported in the city back in 2018. Only Vancouver (291), Surrey (142), and Victoria (102) have reported more overdose deaths this year than Kamloops.

Provincewide, there have now been 1,202 deaths between January and September, more than the 1,180 and 1,176 deaths that were reported at the same time in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

“These numbers are tragic as you know. If these numbers of people dying continue, then 2020 is likely to be the worst year that B.C. has experienced in terms of drug-based fatalities,” Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said.

The BC Coroners Service says 70 per cent of the people who have died this year have been between the age of 30 and 59 – with men making up 80 per cent of the deaths.