Four unregulated drug deaths recorded this year in Smithers

Smithers had the third worst drug death rate per 100,000 people in Northern Health as of the end of April.

According to new data from the BC Coroners Service, the local health area’s rate of 69 deaths per 100,000 made it the fifth highest in the province.

So far this year, four people have died due to unregulated drugs in the area – fifth highest in Northern Health.

Last year, six deaths were recorded with a rate of 33.8 per 100,000 people.

No data was recorded for the Burns Lake Local Health area this year with no deaths recorded in 2024.

The health authority has seen the least number of drug deaths in the province at 46 with the lowest rate per 100,000 at 45.

Across the province 594 people have died due to unregulated drugs with last year’s total being 2287.

Fentanyl remains the leading reported cause at 85.4 per cent, followed by cocaine at 48.3.