Thursday, June 18, 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

Scrap drug decriminalization thresholds: coalition

Scrap drug decriminalization thresholds: coalition
To date, British Columbia, Toronto and Vancouver have asked Ottawa for section 56 exemption requests under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Use Act, which would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of substances like cocaine, heroine and fentanyl.

Scrap drug decriminalization thresholds: coalition

PBO: Inflation boosts spending on seniors' aid

PBO: Inflation boosts spending on seniors' aid
Federal health transfers are calculated to grow by at least three per cent each year, but the budget office says that health-care transfers are set to rise by almost five per cent year-over-year.

PBO: Inflation boosts spending on seniors' aid

Nanaimo, B.C., couple lose $400,000 in scam

Nanaimo, B.C., couple lose $400,000 in scam
A statement from police says the couple, who are both in their late 80s, were contacted by phone early last year. They were told they had won $18.5 million and a Mercedes-Benz but would have to pay administrative fees in order to collect.

Nanaimo, B.C., couple lose $400,000 in scam

Health workers emergency summit warns of burnout

Health workers emergency summit warns of burnout
Health workers have now endured two difficult years of pandemic conditions, leading to serious burnout across nearly all sectors of the health-care system.

Health workers emergency summit warns of burnout

Trudeau, Polish leaders, discuss refugee crisis

Trudeau, Polish leaders, discuss refugee crisis
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Poland today meeting with Duda and Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki as an estimated 100,000 Ukrainian refugees pour into Poland every day.

Trudeau, Polish leaders, discuss refugee crisis

Charest to launch Conservative leadership bid

Charest to launch Conservative leadership bid
Winning is something Conservatives want to see after three back-to-back losses to Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose minority of seats in the House of Commons means an election could be triggered at any point.

Charest to launch Conservative leadership bid