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136 illicit drug overdose deaths in April across B.C.

To date B.C. has seen 488 overdose deaths in 2017
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In April, B.C. saw 136 overdose deaths, bringing the yearly total to 488 lives lost.

That’s more than half of those who died in 2016, and more than four people dying per day across the province.

The top three townships where fatal illicit drug overdoses occurred were Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria.

The federal government approved three new safe consumption sites last week in the Lower Mainland. There continues to be no deaths at sites of this kind or overdose prevention sites, according to a report from the Coroners Service.

The Okanagan has seen 50 deaths so far this year – a 50 per cent increase from the same time last year.

RELATED: Deadly unknown drug hits streets of New Westminster, police warn

Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health saw the highest number of monthly overdose deaths in April 2017 compared to this year and last year – 44 and 54 deaths, respectively.



About the Author: Ashley Wadhwani-Smith

I began my journalistic journey at Black Press Media as a community reporter in my hometown of Maple Ridge, B.C.
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