In 2020, 1,716 people died due to illicit drug use — a 74 per cent increase over 2019, when 984 people died. It means more people died of drug overdoses last year than car crashes, homicides, suicides and prescription drug-related deaths combined. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Fentanyl was detected in more than 80 per cent of drug overdose deaths in B.C. "At the same time, border closures amped up the lethal nature of the street drug supply," he said. "We need to understand the connected nature of overdose deaths and COVID-19 in order to offer more effective solutions."

Source: CBC News February 11, 2021 18:05 UTC