File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Overdose Deaths

Seven people died from drug overdoses in Kamloops in May; 160 in B.C. overall

Jun 29, 2021 | 10:23 AM

VICTORIA — B.C. recorded another 160 deaths due to illicit drug overdoses last month, remaining on track for the deadliest overdose year on record.

New numbers from the B.C. Coroners Service show 851 overdose deaths through the first five months of 2021, putting the province on pace for more than 2,000 by year’s end.

The total of 160 deaths represents a slight decrease from May of 2020, as well as from the previous month this year.

Kamloops saw seven more overdose deaths during the month of May for a total of 26 so far in 2021, the sixth-highest total for cities in B.C.

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The Coroners Service singles out the Thompson Cariboo as one of the Health Service Delivery Areas (HSDA) with the highest rates of overdose death, and points to Merritt as one of five Local Health Areas (LHA) with the highest rates of overdose death.

The presence of fentanyl was detected in about 85 per cent of overdose deaths so far this year.

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