BC Sees Lowest Drug-Related Deaths Since 2020, but Toll Remains High at 2,253

Seized fentanyl is displayed during a press conference at BC RCMP Divisional Headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Feb. 23, 2024. The Canadian Press/Tijana Martin

British Columbia recorded its fewest drug-related deaths since 2020 last year, yet the death toll continues to be high at 2,253 lives lost.

Data recently released by the B.C. Coroners Service indicates a 13 percent decrease since 2023 when 2,511 people died; yet the number of fatalities still far exceeds the 1,776 reported in 2020.