Kamloops loses nine more lives due to illicit drugs in February

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops had another concerning month related to the toxic drug crisis to start 2024, losing nine more lives in the month of February.

New figures released Friday (April 5) by the BC Coroners Service show 20 deaths due to illicit drugs in Kamloops as of February, up from 11 the month prior.

Albeit a smaller sample size, Kamloops is on pace to lose 120 lives due to toxic drugs in 2024. It would surpass the community’s deadliest record of 92 fatalities in 2022.

Overall, B.C. saw 177 deaths in February due to illicit drugs, pushing the year-to-date total to 377. Thirty-one of those deaths were recorded in Interior Health for a year-to-date total of 57.

By health service delivery area, the coroners service says the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap has lost 25 lives in 2024 for a death rate of 57.6 per 100,000 residents.

B.C.’s deadliest record is 2,546 illicit drug fatalities in one year in 2023.

The coroners service’s figures can be viewed here.