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CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Trades among jobs most susceptible to toxic drug-related deaths: B.C. Coroners Service
The B.C. Coroners Service has released data on the toxic drug crisis showing the occupations of those who died over a three year span in the province. As Michelle Morton reports, one of the industries seeing the largest numbers of drug fatalities is the trades.
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Toxic drug deaths in B.C. down in May, June, coroner says
Social Sharing The number of deaths due to toxic drugs fell to below 150 people per month for May and June in British Columbia, according to B.C.'s coroner, a downward trend from the same months last year. The B.C. Coroners Service says in its latest report that the province recorded 145 deaths in May compared with 181 for the same month last year. There were 147 overdose deaths in June, down from 185 the year before. The coroner says 69 per cent of the drug-toxicity deaths in 2025 are adult men between the ages of 30 and 59, and 78 per cent of all deaths this year have been men. The statistics show that the opioid fentanyl is the most common substance detected in those who died this year, followed by methamphetamine and cocaine. The report also says that the presence of carfentanil — an opioid considered to be 100 times more powerful than fentanyl — in toxic drug deaths is increasing compared to 2024. Nearly half of the deaths so far this year have happened in a private residence, while 20.5 per cent happened outside. Smoking continues to be the most common mode of consumption in toxic drug deaths, with 64 per cent of investigations indicating the person who died smoked their substances, the statement says The highest toxic drugs death rate this year is in the Northern Health region with 44 deaths per 100,000 people, and the cities with the highest tolls are Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria. Occupations The B.C. Coroners Service and provincial government have also released the occupations of those who died from 2022 to 2024. The two most common job categories are trades and sales. More specifically, those employed in trades, transport and equipment operation account for 21 per cent of deaths on average, and people employed in the sales and service sector account for 10 per cent. However, in 55 per cent of toxic drug deaths over those three years, the individual's occupation was unknown. Trades are known to have higher-than-average rates of substance use, so much so that the Construction Foundation of B.C. is launching a new mental health initiative to address the struggles faced by people, often men, in that industry. John Oliffe, the Canada Research Chair in men's health promotion at University of British Columbia, has said long shifts and physically demanding work may contribute to recreational drug use and self-medicating with substances.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Toxic drug deaths in B.C. down in May, June, coroner says
People take part in a rally in Victoria, B.C., on April 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito The number of deaths due to toxic drugs fell to below 150 people per month for May and June in British Columbia, a downward trend from the same months last year. The BC Coroners Service says in a statement that the province recorded 145 deaths in May compared with 181 for the same month last year. There were 147 overdose deaths in June, down from 185 the year before. The BC Coroners Service and government have also started releasing the occupation of those who died, and the two most common jobs are trades, transport and equipment operation, as well as sales and service. The statement says 69 per cent of the drug-toxicity deaths are adult men between the ages of 30 and 59, while 78 per cent of all deaths are male. The statistics show that the opioid fentanyl is the most common substance detected in those who died this year, followed by methamphetamine and cocaine. 'Forty-seven per cent of deaths reported occurred in a private residence, compared with 21 per cent outdoors,' the statement says. Smoking continues to be the primary mode of consumption of unregulated toxic drugs, with 64 per cent of investigations indicating the person who died smoked their substances, the statement says The highest toxic drugs death rate this year is in the Northern Health region with 44 deaths per 100,000 people, and the cities with the highest tolls are Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2025.
