Unregulated drugs claimed 50 people that called Burnaby home last year.
That's 28 per cent fewer overdose deaths in the city compared to 69 in 2022, according to the BC Coroners Service, which recently released its final numbers for 2023.
Nine people succumbed to toxic drugs in November and December combined. The NOW's last report on the public health emergency data indicated 41 deaths took place between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31.
The report notes this is the fourth time Burnaby has recorded at least 50 deaths by illicit drugs in a single year since the province started counting in local communities in 2013.
"As we approach the eighth anniversary of the declaration of the public health emergency that has cost so many lives across B.C., our province needs a co-ordinated, evidence-based response that is commensurate with the scale of this health crisis," said chief corner Lisa Lapointe in a release.
She noted nearly 13,800 British Columbians have lost their lives to unregulated drugs since the emergency was declared in 2016.
"Deaths due to drug toxicity are preventable, and I urge our political leaders at all levels to collaborate on a thoughtful, comprehensive plan that puts people first."
The BC Coroners Service states the 2,511 lives lost in 2023 equates to an average of 6.9 deaths per day; five per cent more than the previous high of 2,383 deaths that were recorded in 2022.
In Burnaby, the 50 deaths are also the fewest the city has witnessed in four years since it recorded 29 in 2019.
The local total is also part of 189 illicit drug overdose deaths recorded across the Fraser North health service delivery area between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023.
For 2023, the 50 is also the 11th fewest of the major townships in B.C. — far behind urban centres like Vancouver (644), Surrey (231) and Victoria (168).
Burnaby, since the public health emergency was declared in 2016, has an unregulated drug death rate of 18 per 100,000 people.
In 2023, 80 per cent of toxic drug deaths occurred inside (47 per cent in private residences and 33 per cent in other inside residences, including social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters, and hotels and other indoor locations) and 19 per cent occurred outside in vehicles, sidewalks, streets and parks.
