As the epidemic of open drug use continues across Maple Ridge, many other parts of the province are also dealing with their own ongoing drug issues, with 177 people losing their lives to drugs in February.
While still quite high, this is actually the least amount of monthly deaths for B.C. in more than a year, with an 11 per cent decrease compared to February of last year.
Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions, called the latest report a testament to the relentless challenges of the drug crisis.
“Behind each number was a person who loved and was loved, whose life was unfairly cut short,” said Whiteside.
READ MORE: February was the 20th month in a row of at least 175 overdose deaths in B.C.
For the Fraser North Health Service Delivery Area – which contains Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody – February signalled a significant drop in drug deaths.
In total, 11 people died in the Fraser North region, bringing the total up to 28 for the first couple of months of 2024.
According to the BC Coroner’s Service, only one of these February deaths were attributed to Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, bringing the local total up to six so far this year.
“This crisis isn’t about moral judgments, it’s a serious health emergency that needs our ongoing attention and care,” said Minister Whiteside.
“We’re stepping up to make sure people can get the support they need to stay safe. We’re reinforcing last year’s historic $1-billion commitment with an additional $215 million in the 2024 budget. This investment will help us continue to strengthen our system of care from top to bottom and help us build a path to recovery that’s wide enough for all, acknowledging the varied needs of those we’re here to serve.”
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