File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Toxic Drug Crisis

Kamloops loses eight more lives due to illicit drugs in March

May 7, 2024 | 10:50 AM

KAMLOOPS — The toxic drug crisis claimed eight more lives in Kamloops in the month of March.

New figures released Tuesday (May 7) by the BC Coroners Service show 28 deaths due to illicit drugs in Kamloops as of March 2024, up from 20 the month prior.

Kamloops is on pace to lose 112 lives due to toxic drugs in 2024. It would surpass the community’s deadliest record of 92 fatalities in 2022.

Overall, B.C. saw 192 deaths in March due to illicit drugs, pushing the year-to-date total to 572. Thirty-four of those deaths were recorded in Interior Health for a year-to-date total of 93.

By health service delivery area, the coroners service says the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap has lost 38 lives in 2024 for a death rate of 58.1 per 100,000 residents.

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B.C.’s deadliest record is 2,546 illicit drug fatalities in one year in 2023.

The coroners service’s figures can be viewed here.