May 2020 was the deadliest month in BC’s history when it came to illicit drug toxicity and fentanyl-detected drug deaths.

Deaths numbered 170 in May, surpassing the previous high of 161 that was reported in December of 2016. With May’s death rate, British Columbia has now recorded three consecutive months of more than 100 illicit drug toxicity deaths, with 554 illicit drug deaths so far in 2020.

“It is both sad and deeply frustrating to see the number of illicit drug deaths reach a new high in B.C. four years after the declaration of a public health emergency,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner.

“Despite the many collective efforts directed at this crisis, the toxic drug supply continues to take the lives of our family members, friends and colleagues. We still know that illicit drug toxicity death rates in B.C. remain the highest for any jurisdiction in Canada, and every region in B.C. has been impacted… we must continue to build on further access to safe supply in B.C. and for a regulated, evidence-based, supportive treatment and recovery system as important pillars in preventing future deaths.”

The number of deaths in May 2020 represents a 93% increase over the number of deaths in May 2019, and a 44% increase from deaths in April 2020, with the number of deaths involving extreme fentanyl concentrations (exceeding 50mg/L) is also increasing.

Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria continue to record the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths, but Northern Health continues to be the region most affected with 32 deaths per 100,000 individuals compared to the provincial rate of 26 deaths per 100,000.

“The drug supply is unpredictable and highly toxic, and has led to a sustained increase in fatal and non-fatal overdoses from smoking and injection in recent months,” said Dr. Jane Buxton, harm reduction lead for the BC Centre for Disease Control.

“COVID-19 has added challenges and people may be feeling more isolated and anxious, but it’s important to continue to buddy up, or access local overdose prevention and supervised consumption services during this time.”