Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service’s report on illicit drug toxicity deaths for August and September 2021:

“It’s heartbreaking to see so many lives lost in August and September due to the drug-poisoning crisis. My thoughts and sympathies go out to all the families who have lost a loved one. The drug-poisoning crisis is happening all over Canada, and is affecting communities across the country and throughout our province.

“Our government is committed to systematically changing how those experiencing addiction receive care. We will continue to build upon emergency-response services and community-based harm reduction services as part of our promise in the roadmap report, A Pathway to Hope, to make lasting changes to B.C.’s mental-health and addiction care.       

“We continue to expand substance-use treatment and recovery services in British Columbia. Later today, I will make an announcement on new treatment and recovery services to support people living with addictions.

“At that time, I will be available to provide further comment on this latest report.”