Kamloops on pace to set year-end record for overdose deaths

May 27, 2020 | 11:26 AM

VICTORIA — New overdose statistics from the B.C. Coroners Service show an alarming jump in the rate of deaths in Kamloops.

According to a report detailing overdose deaths to the end of April, Kamloops has seen 18 such deaths, an increase of seven from one month earlier.

The 18 deaths after four months puts Kamloops on pace for its highest year ever. The previous high was 46 overdose deaths in 2018.

Overall in B.C., there were 117 deaths suspected to be caused by illicit drug overdose in April, bringing the provincial total to 382 so far in 2020.