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By Aaron Schulze

Toxic Drugs

Kamloops loses seven more lives due to illicit drugs in May; on pace to break yearly record in 2022

Jul 14, 2022 | 10:35 AM

KAMLOOPS — Seven more illicit drug deaths were recorded in Kamloops in May, 2022.

According to the latest preliminary data by the BC Coroners Service, Kamloops still has the fifth-most illicit drug deaths among B.C. municipalities with 39 – behind Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria and Abbotsford – up from 32 in April.

In 2022, 64 lives in the Thompson Cariboo health service delivery area have been lost due to toxic drugs; nine of those took place in May. The Thompson Cariboo has a death rate of 62.9 per 100,000 people, down from 66.4.

Provincially, 195 lives were lost due to the toxic drug supply in May for a year-to-date total of 940.

Interior Health recorded 28 deaths in May for a year-to-date total of 149.

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Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe says B.C. is on pace to lose another record number of lives due to illicit drugs in 2022.

“The illicit drug supply in this province continues to be volatile and inconsistent, and presents a significant risk to anyone who uses drugs,” Lapointe says. “I strongly urge those purchasing illicit substances to take every available precaution to protect yourself. Please start with a small amount of the drug, and make sure someone is present who can provide naloxone and call for emergency assistance if you experience a negative effect. Your life is at risk.”

Kamloops set a yearly record with 78 overdose deaths in 2021. In 2022, Kamloops is at half its illicit drug death record with seven months remaining.

B.C. became the first province in Canada to remove criminal penalties for possession of certain hard drugs for personal use.