Thursday, May 28, 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

Flood watches around BC prompt evacuation orders

Flood watches around BC prompt evacuation orders
The Village of Cache Creek, nearly 350 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, has issued an evacuation order for a single property along the Trans Canada Highway due to an “existing or imminent” threat of flooding.

Flood watches around BC prompt evacuation orders

Avian flu at a poultry farm in BC

Avian flu at a poultry farm in BC
The agency says it will now set up additional primary control zones as needed around the infected zone, currently centred around the communities of Yarrow and Barrowtown 90 kilometres east of Vancouver. Since an outbreak began in 2022, H-5-N-1 has forced farms in B-C and across Canada to cull millions of birds when an infection is found.

Avian flu at a poultry farm in BC

Wildfires in BC put communities on alert

Wildfires in BC put communities on alert
The B-C Wildfire Service says the Dripping Water wildfire discovered on Thursday 600 kilometres north of Vancouver has now reached over 200 hectares. Meanwhile, the Lost Valley Road wildfire over 400 kilometres northeast of Vancouver discovered on Saturday has now reached over 100 hectares.  

Wildfires in BC put communities on alert

Abbotsford man charged for assaulting Uber Driver

Abbotsford man charged for assaulting Uber Driver
The Abbotsford Police Department says the Uber driver was injured and extremely shaken during an attack on April 18. Police say the investigation involved help from Uber and other law enforcement partners to identify a suspect.

Abbotsford man charged for assaulting Uber Driver

Canada-U. S. meeting to focus on fight against cross-border gun smuggling, opioids

Canada-U. S. meeting to focus on fight against cross-border gun smuggling, opioids
The Canada-U. S. Cross-Border Crime Forum brings together Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, Justice Minister David Lametti and their U.S. counterparts, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Canada-U. S. meeting to focus on fight against cross-border gun smuggling, opioids

Day of Mourning commemorates the loss of 181 workers in B.C. last year

Day of Mourning commemorates the loss of 181 workers in B.C. last year
Moments of silence are being held today to mark the national day of mourning for people who have died, been injured or suffered illness on the job. Nova Scotia N-D-P Leader Claudia Chender noted there were 24 workplace deaths in the province last year -- more than the year before.  

Day of Mourning commemorates the loss of 181 workers in B.C. last year