Drug overdose deaths are down by 24 per cent between April last year and this April, but still B-C’s Coroner says 182 people died.
Fentanyl remains the primary killer, with the drug detected in 82 per cent of test results for those who died so far this year.
The coroner’s service says nearly half of those who overdosed were between the ages of 30 and 49.
The latest figures lift the number of deaths since the public health emergency was declared eight years ago to 14-thousand 582 people.
Mission RCMP Frontline members responded to a report of found human remains in the Cascade Falls Regional Park. The circumstances surrounding the remains were deemed suspicious and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in to investigate.
February 1st was a busy day for the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team, making 2 separate arrests and recovering 3 stolen vehicles. At about 10:30 am, IMPACT members spotted a vehicle with Alberta licence plates, driving in Surrey, B.C.
Mounties were prepared to make arrests Tuesday at the Coutts crossing but backed off when there were safety concerns. Cpl. Curtis Peters says some vehicles left peacefully but others, including tractors, sped through police roadblocks to join the blockade.
More provinces say they are preparing to loosen COVID-19 restrictions in the coming weeks, even as virus-related hospitalizations remain high. British Columbia's provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said gathering restrictions will begin to slowly be eased later this month.
Evidence suggest that a person or persons associated to the previous owners may have been the intended target. The investigation is ongoing and police are working to identify the suspect(s). This shooting is believed to be targeted however not linked to lower mainland gang conflict.
Erin O'Toole has lost a vote to remain leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. The party's members of Parliament met virtually today to cast secret ballots after about one-third of them signed a notice that triggered a leadership review.