From 2019 to 2023, toxic drugs have killed 126 youths in BC, making it the leading cause of unnatural deaths for young people in the province, according to a report from the BC Coroners Service (BCCS). 

This rate equates to approximately 25 deaths a year. In 2023 alone, 28 BC youths under the age of 19 died of toxic drugs.

On the Island, 35 youth deaths occurred in the five-year period, accounting for 28% of these deaths in BC. Victoria had the second-highest youth death rate in the province, with 14 dying.

The number of youth deaths has continued to climb, along with adult deaths, since the health emergency was declared in 2016. The main driver of this increase, according to the BCCS, was the introduction of fentanyl into the unregulated market—the unpredictable concentration of fentanyl in illicit drugs continues to account for the majority of deaths.

Hydromorphone—the substance prescribed as safer supply—was found in 16 (13%) youth deaths, though BCCS said it’s unlikely that the substance contributed “significantly” to the deaths. All 16 of these deaths involved at least one other substance. 

Other non-opioid substances—such as benzodiazepines, which have become more prevalent since the pandemic—have been shown to complicate overdose treatment for paramedics on the scene. 

Of the 126 youths who died from toxic drugs in BC, 75 were aged 17 and 18—accounting for 60% of these deaths—40 were 14-16 years old and 11 were under the age of 14.

There was a near equal split between female and male youth toxic drug deaths, differing from adult deaths where 80% were male.

The majority of youth drug deaths occurred indoors at private residences. At least half of all these deaths are suspected to have occurred while the person was using alone.

Substance use prevalent among homeless youth in Victoria

In Victoria’s 2023 Point in Time (PiT) homelessness survey, substance use was the third-highest reason for youth (aged 13-24) homelessness. Harm reduction and substance use support were listed as top services needed for unhoused youth in the CRD. Of the youth surveyed for the 2023 PiT, 83% were dealing with substance use issues. The PiT survey acknowledges that youth are more likely to deal with “hidden homelessness,” such as couch surfing or staying with friends, making it difficult to get an accurate picture of the number of unhoused youths in the city.

UVic student’s death could lead to more overdose prevention measures at BC universities 

The death of Sidney McIntyre-Starko, 18, in her UVic dorm room in Jan. sent shockwaves through the school, with her parents blaming campus security and 911 for failing to respond in time. After a coroner's inquest into her death was ordered, the province called on all BC universities to implement more drug safety measures, such as readily available naloxone and training on how to respond to overdoses, starting this fall.