B.C. drug deaths hit lowest level since before pandemic, down 55% since 2023 peak

VICTORIA — British Columbia has recorded its lowest monthly number of suspected toxic drug deaths since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, falling by more than half since their peak.

The Ministry of Public Safety’s preliminary data shows that 109 people died in B.C. in May due to suspected unregulated drug toxicity, which is about 3.5 deaths each day.

That is the lowest level seen since February 2020, when 79 deaths were reported, and is down by about 55 per cent compared to the 242 deaths recorded in December 2023.

B.C. declared a public health emergency over the overdose crisis a decade ago, with the number of deaths peaking at more than 2,500 in 2023.