Vancouver – There were 109 suspected drug overdose deaths in May 2018. This is a 23% decrease over the number of deaths occurring in May 2017 (141) and a 12% decrease over the number of deaths occurring in April 2018 (124). The number of illicit drug overdose deaths in May 2018 equates to about 3.5 deaths per day for the month.
In 2018, 71% of those dying were aged 30 to 59; individuals aged 19-59 have accounted 92% of illicit drug overdose deaths. Males accounted for 80% of all suspected illicit drug overdose deaths over the same period. The three townships experiencing the highest number of illicit drug overdoses in 2018 are Vancouver, Surrey, and Victoria.
The updated illicit drug overdose death stats are now available online.
Illicit Drug Overdose Deaths in B.C. (2008-2018) (0.38MB – PDF)– posted June 25, 2018, updated monthly
Illicit Drug Overdose Deaths – Summary Infographic (0.29MB – PDF)
