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Drug overdoses have claimed 29 lives in Prince George this year

Overdoses claimed two lives in the city in May, according to data released by the B.C. Coroners Service.
Arthur Williams
Arthur Williams
naloxone
A naloxone kit, used to treat patients suffering from drug overdoses, is seen in a file photo.Dustin Godfrey/Burnaby Now

As of May 31, drug overdoses had claimed 29 lives in Prince George, the B.C. Coroners Service reported.

That number is up by two from the Coroners Service’s report in June, which included deaths up to the end of April. Prince George has the 10th highest rate of overdoses per capita in B.C. this year, with the equivalent of 81.2 deaths per 100,000 person-years, well above the B.C. average of 42.9.

"After a catastrophic 2021, I am saddened to report that we are, once again, on pace to lose a record number of our community members in 2022," B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner said in a statement issued on Thursday. "The illicit drug supply in this province continues to be volatile and inconsistent, and presents a significant risk to anyone who uses drugs. I strongly urge those purchasing illicit substances to take every available precaution to protect yourself.

A total of 68 drug overdose deaths have been reported in the Northern Health region this year, as of May 31, the Coroner Service reported. Of those 36 were in the Northern Interior (which includes Prince George), 20 were in the Northwest and 12 in the Northeast health service delivery areas.

Eight new drug overdose deaths, including the two in Prince George, were reported in the Northern Health region in May.

So far this year, Northern Health has the highest overdose death rate among B.C. Health Authorities, at 53.3 deaths per 100,0000 person-years. The lowest is Fraser Health, with 36.5 deaths per 100,000 person-years.

Across B.C., a total of 940 overdose deaths were reported between January and May, a record number for the first five months of the year. A total of 195 deaths were reported in B.C. in May, a record for a single calendar month, the Coroners Service reported.

"Six people a day are dying due to the toxic drug crisis in this province and it's nothing short of tragic,” B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson said in a statement released on Thursday. “But it's the reason we must persevere and continue the vital work of reducing the risk of toxic drug poisonings and saving lives.”