In British Columbia, in the west of the country, overdoses led to the death of 1,228 people in the first six months of the current year.

The death toll in June in the coastal province due to overdose of illegal substances reached 184 cases. This increases the number of people who have died from these substances to 1,228 since the beginning of the current year 2023.

The crisis is so severe that overdoses are the leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 59. All other causes of death in these age groups, such as accidents, homicide, suicide, and diseases combined, follow thereafter.

A report from the British Columbia Coroners Service, which investigates facts, indicated that in the majority of fatal overdoses, illegal drugs were consumed. The report noted that fentanyl is responsible for 84% of these deaths so far this year.

On her part, Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe stated: "Everyone who enters the illegal drug market is at risk of serious harm or death."

It is noteworthy that the Coroners Service publishes a report every month detailing the number of deaths caused by overdoses. Each time, it calls for better management of the drug and opioid crisis in the coastal province.

Coroner Lapointe expressed her sorrow for the families and their deep pain over the loss of loved ones who succumb to overdose, and as a coroner, she meets them every day and talks to them, saying: "We continue to advocate for the rapid expansion of safe supply across the province to reduce the harms associated with the toxic illegal drug market and thus prevent future deaths."

Moreover, more than 12,500 people have died due to overdoses since 2016, the year the British Columbia government declared a public health emergency to address the opioid crisis and overdose issues across the province.