Thursday, June 11, 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

Monkeypox vaccine more widely available in B.C.

Monkeypox vaccine more widely available in B.C.
The ministry says that as of Wednesday, 61 cases of monkeypox had been identified in B.C., with 54 in Vancouver Coastal, three in Fraser Health and four on Vancouver Island. Of the 14,480 doses of vaccine B.C. has received, the ministry says about half had been administered to high-risk people by Monday.

Monkeypox vaccine more widely available in B.C.

Shooting in Newton results in homeowner discovering bullet holes at the back of the home

Shooting in Newton results in homeowner discovering bullet holes at the back of the home
Mounties spoke with a homeowner who discovered bullet holes in the exterior of their residence.There were no injuries in the shooting. Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit has taken conduct of the investigation, which is in the early stages.    

Shooting in Newton results in homeowner discovering bullet holes at the back of the home

Langley shooting victims identified: IHIT

Langley shooting victims identified: IHIT
With permission of their families, the identities of the victims are being released. Paul David Wynn, 60, died outside the Creek Stone Place. Steven Furness, 43, died at the Langley Bus Loop.

Langley shooting victims identified: IHIT

Richmond RCMP respond to reports of a man smashing cars and threatening people

Richmond RCMP respond to reports of a man smashing cars and threatening people
Upon arrival, frontline officers encountered an extremely irate man who threatened to use the metal tank as a weapon against them.  The 56 year-old Richmond man was subsequently arrested under the Mental Health Act and taken to a local hospital. 

Richmond RCMP respond to reports of a man smashing cars and threatening people

Hot but no emergency say B.C. officials

Hot but no emergency say B.C. officials
Environment Canada is maintaining heat warnings for most of B.C. and says 10 daily maximum temperature records were broken Wednesday as the province recorded the top dozen highest temperatures in Canada. At 42 C, Lytton was the hottest in the province and the country as the weather office says the village broke its previous record for the day of 40 C, set in 1939.

Hot but no emergency say B.C. officials

Prevent spread of monkeypox with safe sex: Tam

Prevent spread of monkeypox with safe sex: Tam
The World Health Organization declared the virus a public health emergency of international concern over the weekend. Tam, the chief public health officer, said there are 745 confirmed cases of the monkeypox reported in Canada and 99 per cent of those affected are men with a median age of 36.

Prevent spread of monkeypox with safe sex: Tam