A total of 41 lives have been lost to illicit drugs in Burnaby during 2024, new data from the BC Coroners Service shows.
There were 11 deaths recorded in August and September of this year.
In 2023, 51 lives were lost in Burnaby.
Provincially, the BC Coroners Service says 187 lives were lost in August and 183 in September, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,749.
August's numbers equate to six deaths per day, while September saw an average of 6.1.
The townships seeing the highest number of unregulated deaths this year are Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria, the Coroners Service said.
"Today, B.C. mourns the loss of 187 and 183 people to toxic drugs in August and September respectively. They were brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, friends, colleagues and neighbours," the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions said in a statement.
"Although the rate of toxic-drug deaths this year continues to decrease compared to the past three years, the rate of toxic-drug deaths and the impact of toxic drugs circulating in B.C. communities remains unacceptable.
"There is more work needed to save lives and connect more people to treatment services. The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is working with all partners to build a better, healthier province for everyone."
