Northern Health saw the highest rate of illicit drug overdose deaths of any Health Authority this decade in 2022.
According to preliminary data from the Coroners’ Service, the Authority recorded 59.5 deaths per 100,000 residents last year.
That surpasses the previous record of 52.2, also set by Northern Health in 2021.
In total, at least 2,272 British Columbians lost their lives to the toxic drug supply last year, trailing only 2021 as the deadliest on record.
181 of those came from the North and 388 from the Interior, both marking their deadliest years to date.
By local health area, Terrace recorded the second highest rate of deaths at 110.5 per 100,000, while the Northwest as a whole saw 69.5 per 100,000.
Adults will no longer face criminal charges for possessing less than 2.5 grams of cocaine, opioids, methamphetamine, or MDMA.
They hope that by recommending support options instead of making arrests and seizures, officers can help to destigmatize drug use, and remove barriers to help.
You can find the Coroners’ Service’s full preliminary report at this link.
