VICTORIA  – Today’s updated illicit drug overdose report released by the B.C. Coroners Service continues to demonstrate the ongoing tragedy of B.C.’s opioid crisis after the province experienced the highest number of drug overdose deaths ever recorded in the month of February.

“Tragically, 155 families mourned the loss of loved ones this past month as the opioid crisis continues to worsen with every year that goes by,” said Trevor Halford, BC Liberal Critic for Mental Health and Addictions. “Each month we see a new record number of deaths and each month we see the same lack of a plan from this government to help fix this crisis. The addiction crisis is worse than ever under this government and we should be doing everything we can to keep people alive, not blocking or reducing lifesaving treatment facilities like the NDP is currently doing.”

“Across B.C., communities are being turned down for increased services — or in the case of Pathways in Penticton, being told to close their doors. From youth to First Nations communities, people are crying out for this NDP government to provide vulnerable people with the supports they need to prevent more people from falling through the cracks. Once again, we are again calling for John Horgan and the NDP to finally deliver a seamless mental health and addictions system.”

B.C. recorded an average of 5.5 deaths per day in February 2021, marking a 107 per cent increase over the number of deaths in February 2020.