A total of 15 lives have been lost in Burnaby to date due to illicit drug toxicity, according to updated data released by the BC Coroners Service.
Eight deaths were recorded in January, followed by seven the next month.
Data also showed 174 lives were lost province-wide, the highest number of deaths ever recorded in the month of February. It's also the 17th consecutive month that more than 150 deaths were recorded.
"As we approach the sixth anniversary of the declaration of the public-health emergency into substance-related harms, we are continuing to lose members of our communities at an unprecedented and terrifying rate," chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said in a April 12 news release.
"The deaths of another 174 B.C. residents, so many of them young and middle-aged men with years of life ahead of them, is yet another reminder that urgent action is needed on a province-wide scale.
"I extend my deepest sympathy to the many families, friends and communities who are grieving the loss of a loved one."
The 174 deaths last month equated to 6.2 deaths per day, the coroners service says.
The townships experiencing the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths so far this year are Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria.
"It's heartbreaking to see the 174 lives lost in February due to the toxic drug crisis. My thoughts and sympathies go out to all the families who have lost a loved one. No words can ease this pain," Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcomson said in a separate news release.
"We know there is more to do, and we won't stop working until we turn this crisis around.
"This morning, I will be making an announcement on complex-care housing and will be available to provide further comment on this latest report."
