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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/brit...h-six-years-public-health-emergency-1.6419363
An actor, a hockey reporter, a 12-year-old: These are some victims of B.C.'s toxic drug crisis | CBC News Loaded
Over 9,400 people have died in the 6 years since B.C. declared public health emergency due to overdose deaths
CBC News · Posted: Apr 14, 2022 7:14 AM PT | Last Updated: 6 hours ago
Six years ago, Dr. Perry Kendall — then B.C.'s chief public health officer — declared a public health emergency due to the escalating number of overdose deaths in the province.
Talking recently about the announcement, Kendall said it was "meant to bring public and political attention to the emerging crisis."
But while he says he has seen some progress on the issue, it has not been enough to save thousands of lives from toxic drugs.
"We have seen a shocking, unacceptable and unconscionable increase in the number of deaths," Kendall said.
According to the B.C. Coroners Service, more than 9,400 people across the province have now died from ingesting toxic, illicit drugs over the past six years.
Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says while there are some patterns — such as people using alone, and a higher number of deaths among men aged 30 to 59 years old — victims of the crisis come from all walks of life.
Lapointe says there is a misconception that the only people at risk are regular drug users. In fact, she says, many are first-time or casual users who think they are purchasing a certain drug only to get something contaminated with fentanyl or other, even more lethal, substances.,,
An actor, a hockey reporter, a 12-year-old: These are some victims of B.C.'s toxic drug crisis | CBC News Loaded
Over 9,400 people have died in the 6 years since B.C. declared public health emergency due to overdose deaths
CBC News · Posted: Apr 14, 2022 7:14 AM PT | Last Updated: 6 hours ago
Six years ago, Dr. Perry Kendall — then B.C.'s chief public health officer — declared a public health emergency due to the escalating number of overdose deaths in the province.
Talking recently about the announcement, Kendall said it was "meant to bring public and political attention to the emerging crisis."
But while he says he has seen some progress on the issue, it has not been enough to save thousands of lives from toxic drugs.
"We have seen a shocking, unacceptable and unconscionable increase in the number of deaths," Kendall said.
According to the B.C. Coroners Service, more than 9,400 people across the province have now died from ingesting toxic, illicit drugs over the past six years.
Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says while there are some patterns — such as people using alone, and a higher number of deaths among men aged 30 to 59 years old — victims of the crisis come from all walks of life.
Lapointe says there is a misconception that the only people at risk are regular drug users. In fact, she says, many are first-time or casual users who think they are purchasing a certain drug only to get something contaminated with fentanyl or other, even more lethal, substances.,,