The Kootenay Boundary tallies 35 illicit drug fatalities in 2024, down from the previous year’s 41 deaths.
Nelson and Trail topped the list of most deaths with 9 each, followed closely behind by Grand Forks with 8.
The BC Coroners Service stated there were a combined 299 deaths province-wide in November and December.
Meanwhile, the number of unregulated drug deaths in BC in 2024 was 2,253, a 13 per cent year-over-year decline (2,578).
“The information collected by our coroners during their investigations into unregulated drug toxicity deaths indicates a decline in fatalities over the last several months of 2024. This is consistent with reporting from other jurisdictions in Canada and internationally,” said Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, chief coroner.
“This doesn’t mitigate the fact that 2,253 members of our communities died in 2024, leaving behind grieving loved ones, friends, colleagues and teammates. Our thoughts are with all of those many, many people who have been touched by this crisis.”
In 2024, about seven in every 10 decedents were between the ages of 30 and 59, and nearly three-quarters were male. The rate of death among females in 2024 is 20 per 100,000. This is an increase of 65 per cent from 2020 (13 per 100,000) and a slight reduction from 2023 (21 per 100,000).
Fentanyl and its analogues continue to be the primary driver of unregulated drug toxicity deaths in B.C., detected in 78 per cent of expedited toxicological testing in 2024. Cocaine (52 per cent), fluorofentanyl (46 per cent), methamphetamine (43 per cent) and bromazolam (41 per cent) were the other most common substances detected in expected toxicology.
It’s important to note that the data from the report is preliminary and subject to change as additional toxicology results are received, and investigations are concluded.
Since the public health emergency was first declared in April 2016, the lives of at least 16,047 people in B.C. have been lost to unregulated drug toxicity.
Health Minister Josie Osborne says the toxic-drug crisis also continues to take a heavy toll on everyone, and that we must continue to work together to prevent further heartbreak and save lives.
“This public health emergency touches every corner of our province. Addiction can be influenced by many factors, including housing challenges, the cost of living, mental and physical pain, and intergenerational trauma. By addressing these issues openly and expanding supports, we can help reduce the stigma around substance use and encourage individuals to seek help rather than struggle in addiction.”
“Although there is a decrease in deaths, 152 in November 2024 and 147 in December 2024, this in no way diminishes grief that permeates our communities.”
“We know there is still more to do. By working together and continuing to expand life-saving services, more people can find their pathway to recovery.”
Unregulated drug toxicity remains the leading cause of unnatural death for people in British Columbia aged 10 to 59 and accounts for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined.
70 per cent of the deaths reported were people between the ages of 30 and 49.
Unregulated drug deaths Kootenay 2024 results
| Creston | 3 |
| Kootenay Lake | 0 |
| Nelson | 9 |
| Castlegar | 6 |
| Arrow Lakes | 1 |
| Trail | 9 |
| Grand Forks | 8 |
| Kettle Valley | 2 |
| Fernie | 1 |
| Cranbrook | 13 |
| Kimberley | 3 |
| Windermere | 1 |
| Golden | 0 |
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