Wednesday, May 27, 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

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF
The B-C Teachers Federation has completed its first-ever survey of members and says the results show teachers' stress and workloads are climbing. Roughly 40 per cent of teachers say they have less preparation time this year than they did in 2022 and approximately the same number say their physical or mental health is worse than it was last year.

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour
North Vancouver R-C-M-P say they were alerted to a man "causing public alarm" Monday morning on the Mosquito Creek trail under an overpass, and officers had to confront his "aggressive" and threatening behaviour. 

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour

B.C. creates anti-racism data committee, releases research priorities

B.C. creates anti-racism data committee, releases research priorities
The British Columbia government has released 12 priorities for anti-racism research in its first update since the Anti-Racism Data Act came into effect last June. The province says the focus will be in areas such as racial diversity within the public service, interactions with the justice system and how health care and education differs for various demographic groups.  

B.C. creates anti-racism data committee, releases research priorities

New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China

New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China
Kwan said the Canadian Security Intelligence Service spent an hour with her on Friday laying out the intelligence it possesses that she has been targeted by China since before the 2019 federal election over her advocacy for human rights in Hong Kong and for the Uyghur Muslim minority in China.

New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China

15 year old charged for Surrey robberies

15 year old charged for Surrey robberies
R-C-M-P in Surrey have charged a 15-year-old with a handful of street robberies. Police say they responded to three separate robbery reports on April 24th where bear spray was used to help the suspect steal cellphones and headphones.  

15 year old charged for Surrey robberies

B.C. police say remains of Madison Scott, last seen in 2011, have been found

B.C. police say remains of Madison Scott, last seen in 2011, have been found
Police have said she was 20 years old when she was last seen early in the morning of May 28, 2011. She had been at a party celebrating a friend's birthday at Hogsback Lake outside Vanderhoof, in central B.C. 

B.C. police say remains of Madison Scott, last seen in 2011, have been found