The B.C. Coroners Service is urging caution to anyone using substances purchased from the illicit market amid a recent rise in toxic drug deaths and adds counterfeit prescription tablets aren’t helping.
They said the data is still under review, but preliminary numbers suggest unregulated drug toxicity has led to over 200 deaths in November.
In October, Coroners Service officials said they expected to record an unprecedented number of deaths in 2023, but recent data shows that numbers have increased beyond previous indications.
“In recognition of how difficult the holiday season is for those who have lost loved ones, there has historically not been a monthly drug-death reporting update in December,” they said in a news release. “It is important, however, to ensure that people are aware of the continuing risks related to the unregulated drug market and of recent increases in deaths reported.”
Officials said unregulated drug deaths are historically higher in the winter months.
“This early increase could be a sign of another challenging season for people who use drugs in B.C.,” they said. “Please do not use drugs alone. It is critically important that people take advantage of every available support to keep themselves safe.
“It is recommended that anyone using drugs do so only in the presence of someone who will be able to provide naloxone and/or first aid and call 911.”
Officials urge people who use drugs to be cautious and take advantage of free drug-checking services.
“Recent reports of counterfeit hydromorphone tablets in Interior Health make clear that even substances presumed to be safe carry significant risk,” they said. “The only way to be certain about the substances contained in a product that is purchased illicitly is by having it tested by an approved service.”