BC sets a new record with 2,511 toxic drug deaths in 2023

Photo Credit: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via CBC

At the beginning of 2024, the BC Coroners Office reported 2,511 suspected deaths due to illicit drug usage — about seven deaths a day in the province. According to CBC News, this statistic is the highest recorded number ever and a five per cent increase from 2022, raising a concern for both government health workers and BC residents.

Some BC residents, including BC United leader Kevin Falcon, believe that the cause for the surge in deaths is due to the New Democratic Party (NDP)’s newly implemented policy of decriminalizing small amounts of illicit drug possession, and they are calling for its removal.

Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside believes that revoking the policy will not resolve the crisis, but, instead, make it worse. 

"Ending this measure will not save a single life [...] As the toxicity of illicit street drugs continues to increase, more people are at serious risk.''

Lisa Lapointe, BC’s chief coroner, agrees and believes that the cause of the deaths is related to the possession and distribution of illicit fentanyl. 

“Decriminalization is not responsible for these deaths," Lapointe said, according to CBC News.

Furthermore, Lapointe is advocating for the expansion of safer supply of the substances, the increased implementation of drug treatment facilities, and an internal change within the city to treat substance use as a health issue rather than as a crime. She believes that the city should focus on the causes of drug addictions, rather than treat the problem at a surface-level.

Although the NDP has added 464 treatment beds throughout BC over the past six years, some believe that it will not help with the issue. Elenore Sturko, an addictions critic at BC United, says that the province is in need of a “recovery-oriented system of care” that the government has “absolutely failed to provide.”

Additionally, there are innovative visions for future treatment facilities in development, like the Road-to-Recovery addiction treatment model program, which is set to open in 2027 at St. Paul’s Hospital. The initiative hopes to provide 100 beds to those who want to overcome their addictions, and will provide  treatment that combats typically long waiting times. The model will be implemented throughout the province.