Island toxic drug deaths hit two-year low last year

The Island lost 446 lives due to toxic drugs in 2024, 157 of which happened in Victoria, according to a new report from the BC Coroners Service (BCCS). This is fewer than the last two years for the capital, but still significantly higher than all years before 2022.

BC lost 2,253 lives to toxic drugs last year, falling below pre-2021 levels. It’s a 13% drop compared with last year when 2,578 died because of toxic drugs. However, the number still cracked 2K, which had been unheard of before 2021. Last year’s deaths were nearly double the number recorded in 2019.

Across the province, 147 people died of drug poisoning in December and 152 in November. On the Island, 30 people died of toxic drugs in November, and 21 died in December.

In a release, Health Minister Josie Osborne said the drop in toxic-related deaths last year “in no way diminishes grief that permeates our communities.”

“Behind every number is a child, parent, sibling, friend or neighbour, and their loss is felt deeply by those who knew and loved them,” Osborne said.

Nanaimo had its second-highest year on record for toxic drug deaths—last year was the highest—with 94 people killed.

Overall, the number of toxic-drug deaths declined on the Island. Deaths involving those aged 19-29 declined significantly. Still, Island Health has the second-highest rate of toxic drug deaths (48 in 100K) following Northern Health (67 in 100K). Island Health and Northern Health also recorded the highest rate of female deaths, a demographic that is dying at a significantly increased rate—in 2024, the number of female deaths was 50% higher than in 2020. Male deaths still make up the majority, at 74%.

According to the BCCS report, the majority of these deaths occurred indoors, with nearly half occurring in a private residence and 28.5% occurring in an alternative residence like social housing or a hotel.

Fentanyl was preliminarily found in 78% of all toxic drug deaths, falling nearly 10% below 2021 levels. This statistic is based on expedited toxicology reports and may change as more info becomes available.

Since the public health emergency began in 2016, more than 16K people have died from toxic drugs in BC.