British Columbia Faces Escalating Toxic Drug Crisis Amid Provincial Election

With over 15,000 deaths since 2016, the crisis is a key issue ahead of the October 19 election, highlighting gaps in the safe-supply program.

Since the public health emergency declaration in April 2016, British Columbia has recorded 15,140 toxic drug deaths.
In 2024 alone, there have been 1,365 deaths, with fentanyl detected in 83% of cases.
A significant 68% of 2024 deaths involved smoking as the mode of drug consumption, and 73% of victims were men.
The province has seen an average of 6.4 deaths per day in 2024, despite a 15% decrease in July deaths compared to July 2023.
Less than 2% of the estimated 225,000 substance users in the province have access to a regulated safe supply, according to former chief coroner Lisa Lapointe.