Twenty-eight people died in Richmond in 2022 of drug poisoning.
This is the second highest number since statistics started being made public in 2012 - in 2021, there were 32 drug poisoning deaths in Richmond.
The BC Coroners Service released its 2022 statistics on Tuesday morning, showing that 2,272 people died across B.C. from drugs that were tainted with fentanyl, benzodiazepines and other toxins. This was slightly lower than in 2021, when 2,306 people died.
Drug toxicity deaths – about six people a day in B.C. – are the highest cause of unnatural deaths, far exceeding suicide, motor vehicle accidents and homicides.
Both in November and December, there were two deaths in Richmond from toxic drugs.
These numbers were released on the same day that B.C. started a new exemption for illicit drugs – police can no longer arrest people in possession of 2.5 grams of opioids, fentanyl, cocaine, crack, methamphetamines and MDMA (ecstasy).
A small number of drug users are able to access a medical-grade heroin – hydromorphone - via the MySafe vending machines.
And the coroner noted in her report Tuesday that “there is no indication that prescribed safe supply is contributing to illicit drug deaths.”
BC Emergency Health Services previously told the Richmond News that paramedics respond to on average one drug poisoning or overdose per day in Richmond.
Earlier this year, the BC Coroners Service told the News, of the 24 deaths so far at that point, 18 took place inside residences - 14 in private homes and four in other residences. Three deaths occurred outdoors, and three weren’t specified by the coroner’s service.
