Unregulated drugs killed fewer people in 2024 in B.C., but advocates say numbers still far too high

In 2024, the B.C. Coroners Service reported that 2,253 individuals lost their lives due to unregulated drugs in the province. This marked a significant decrease in the annual death toll from the drug-toxicity crisis, representing the lowest number of fatalities in four years. Chief Coroner Dr. Jatinder Baidwan expressed condolences for the lives lost and acknowledged the impact on families, friends, and communities affected by the crisis.

J. Stewart, the executive director of Moms Stop the Harm, a network supporting families impacted by substance-use-related harms, cautioned against celebrating the decline in drug deaths. He emphasized the ongoing nature of the public health emergency and the need for urgent action to address the root causes of the crisis. Despite the recent decrease in deaths, Stewart highlighted the human toll of the crisis and the need for a comprehensive response.

The coroners service noted a decline in drug-related deaths in the latter part of 2024, consistent with trends observed in other regions across Canada and internationally. Fentanyl and its analogues remained the primary cause of toxic drug deaths, detected in a majority of toxicological tests. Other substances, such as cocaine, fluorofentanyl, methamphetamine, and bromazolam, were also frequently identified in toxicology reports.

Per capita, certain local health areas experienced higher death rates in 2024, with Vancouver-Centre North recording the highest number of fatalities. Moms Stop the Harm advocated for a regulated drug supply model, similar to alcohol control measures, to address the unpredictability of unregulated drugs and prevent further loss of life.

Kora DeBeck, a research scientist with the B.C. Centre on Substance Use, cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions from the decline in drug toxicity deaths. She emphasized the need for evidence-based interventions, such as expanding addiction treatment, drug checking facilities, and safe drug supply programs, to effectively combat the crisis. DeBeck highlighted the limitations of focusing solely on enforcement measures against drug cartels and emphasized the importance of innovative approaches to saving lives.

The province declared a public health emergency in April 2016 in response to illicit drug overdoses, leading to over 16,000 deaths in B.C. since then. The ongoing challenge of the drug-toxicity crisis underscores the need for collaborative efforts to address the underlying issues and prevent further loss of life in the community.