Monday, July 6, 2026
ADVT 
National

150 overdose deaths in October

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Nov, 2023 03:31 PM
  • 150 overdose deaths in October

British Columbia's coroner says the toxic and unregulated drug supply has claimed more than 2,000 lives in the province in the first ten months of this year. 

A statement from the coroners' service says in October alone 189 people died from overdoses, which is more than six deaths a day.

It is also the 37th consecutive month where at least 150 people died from illicit overdoses. 

The service says more than 13,300 people have died because of poisoned drugs since the crisis was declared in April 2016.

Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions, says in a statement that they recognize the depth of grief the figures represent, and her government continues to work urgently to provide access to effective care.

The corner says males make up more than three-quarters of the 2023 death toll, about seven of every 10 people who died this year were between 30 and 59 years old and overdose is the leading cause of death in B.C. for those aged 10 to 59. 

MORE National ARTICLES

600 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

600 COVID19 cases for Wednesday
British Columbia is now pausing the first dose AstraZeneca program. “Given the limited availability of the AstraZeneca vaccine supply, we are holding all remaining AstraZeneca vaccine for dose-two booster immunizations. Existing pharmacy bookings will proceed."

600 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

B.C. expecting more AstraZeneca vaccine: minister

B.C. expecting more AstraZeneca vaccine: minister
Dix says a "significant amount" of the COVID-19 vaccine was also made available in the last week in the Island and Interior health regions.

B.C. expecting more AstraZeneca vaccine: minister

No time for drug decriminalization redo: mayor

No time for drug decriminalization redo: mayor
Kennedy Stewart says a federal election could see the small window of opportunity close on the city's bid for an exemption from criminal provisions on simple possession of small amounts of drugs.

No time for drug decriminalization redo: mayor

Meng wants to introduce new evidence to court

Meng wants to introduce new evidence to court
A B.C. Supreme Court judge set June 29 and 30 for a hearing over whether the evidence will be admitted in Meng Wanzhou's case, during a brief scheduling meeting on Wednesday.

Meng wants to introduce new evidence to court

Garneau's Iceland travel raises questions on rules

Garneau's Iceland travel raises questions on rules
Marc Garneau's office says he's in quarantine after returning from a G7 ministers' meeting in the United Kingdom last week.

Garneau's Iceland travel raises questions on rules

U.K. looks to fall for talks on Canada trade deal

U.K. looks to fall for talks on Canada trade deal
Britain's trade minister says his country expects to kick-start talks on a free-trade pact with Canada in the fall and suggests it might differ in scope from what is now in place.

U.K. looks to fall for talks on Canada trade deal