B.C. records deadliest month for opioid overdose deaths as public health emergency worsens – SFU experts available

October was the deadliest month ever for suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in British Columbia, the BC Coroners Service announced today.

Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said 201 people died from overdoses in October. In total, 1,782 people have died of suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths from January to October of this year, making 2021 the deadliest year on record for overdose deaths. SFU experts are available to speak to the province’s worsening public health emergency and what needs to change. 

AVAILABLE SFU EXPERTS

DONALD MACPHERSON, director, Canadian Drug Policy Coalition | donald_macpherson@sfu.ca 
Expertise: drug policy based on principles of public health, scientific evidence, human rights and social inclusion, author of the Four Pillars Drug Strategy 

ALISSA GREER, assistant professor, criminology | alissa_greer@sfu.ca  
Expertise: how the overdose crisis continues to be driven by ineffective drug laws and policies, drug law reform (decriminalization, safer supply)
Note: Not available for broadcast interviews

CONTACT

MATT KIELTYKA,  SFU Communications & Marketing 
236.880.2187 | matt_kieltyka@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University
Communications & Marketing |  SFU Media Experts Directory
778.782.3210

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