B.C. records 2nd highest number of monthly overdose deaths
CBC
British Columbia recorded 184 suspected overdose deaths in July, tied for the second highest monthly number in the province's history.
The announcement Wednesday by the B.C. Coroners Service brought the province to 1,204 deaths due to drug toxicity for the first seven months of this year, on track to eclipse last year's record high of 1,734.
Vancouver recorded the highest number of overdose deaths with 46, but fatalities were recorded in all 16 health service delivery areas, in all demographics.
"These are members of our communities and they should still be with us," said Vancouver Coun. Christine Boyle.
"We need to be doing more, and faster ... we've been hearing from advocates and activists and drug users that the current solutions aren't good enough."
The City of Vancouver is currently awaiting a decision by Health Canada on whether to approve an exemption to federal laws that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs within city borders.
Toronto is set to make a similar request, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has also joined the advocacy efforts.