BC Drug Deaths Hit Record Level Again, Averaging 7 Lives Lost Per Day: Coroner

The British Columbia Coroners Service says the province witnessed a record-breaking 2,511 lives lost to drug-related fatalities in 2023. “This crisis, driven primarily by unregulated fentanyl, has cost our province dearly in the loss of much-loved and valued members of our communities,” said B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe in a Jan. 24 release. “We cannot bring our deceased loved ones back, but we can and must do much more to protect the lives of tens of thousands of our family members, friends and colleagues still at risk.” The nearly seven deaths-per-day average is the highest death toll reported by the agency in a single year....