(SHELBY THEVENOT / iNFOnews.ca)

The province is reporting a record number of overdose deaths this year so far, with Interior Health reporting 149 deaths in the region.

In 2022 so far, 39 people in Kamloops, 31 people in Kelowna and 19 people in Vernon died of an overdose. A total of 149 deaths have been reported in the entire Interior Health region.

May has seen an increase in the number of overdose deaths across B.C. with 195 deaths being recorded for the month.

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"After a catastrophic 2021, I am saddened to report that we are, once again, on pace to lose a record number of our community members in 2022," said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner with B.C. Coroners Service, in a press release issued today, July 14.

"The illicit drug supply in this province continues to be volatile and inconsistent and presents a significant risk to anyone who uses drugs. I strongly urge those purchasing illicit substances to take every available precaution to protect yourself.”

The Interior recorded a slightly lower number of deaths in May compared to last May, with 29 deaths in May 2021 and 28 this past May.

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Last year saw a record number of overdose deaths, with 2,265 people losing their lives. In B.C., the 195 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths represent a 13% increase from the number of deaths in May 2021 (172) and is a 20% increase from the number of deaths occurring in April 2022 (162).

In 2022, 73% of those deaths were aged 30 to 59, and 76% were male.

By heath service delivery area, in 2022, the highest rates of death were in Vancouver, the Thompson Cariboo area, the Northwest area, the Fraser East area and the Northern Interior area.

The highest rates of death in local heath areas were recorded in Lillooet, Mission, Cariboo/Chilcotin, Powell River, and Merritt.

Trevor Halford, the official opposition critic for Mental Health and Addictions, called it “deeply disheartening” to watch the overdose crisis continue to get worse, in a press release.

“What is needed now more than ever is a coherent, province-wide strategy so when someone reaches out for help, they can immediately get the help they need. It’s time for the NDP government to get its priorities straight and take action to reverse this horrible trend and start saving lives,” he said.

The B.C. Coroners Service report on overdose deaths can be found here.

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