155 people lost their lives because of the toxic drug crisis in October.
According to data from the BC Coroners Service, 155 deaths equal to 5 deaths per day, making it the lowest monthly death number since September 2020.
This year has seen 1,925 people dead from the crisis, a 9 percent decrease from the 2,107 deaths in October last year. Despite this decrease, the service says risk of harm and death are still high.
They say while Vancouver Coastal Health and Island Health had a lower number of deaths compared to last year, 501 and 389 people died respectively.
For Vancouver Island, a total of 188 people lost their lives in the Comox Valley, Greater Campbell River, Greater Nanaimo, and Cowichan Valley. The Sunshine Coast and Powell River only suffered 16 deaths.
The service adds no toxic drug deaths were recorded for those under 19 years old, half the deaths were for those between the ages of 30 and 49, women made up 22 percent of the deaths, while men made up the remaining 78 percent.
For the drugs found, the Coroners Service says Fentanyl and stimulants were the most detected with 87.1 percent and 80.7 percent respectively.
