One person died in September in Richmond due to a suspected drug poisoning.
This brings the total number of deaths from toxic, unregulated drugs in Richmond to 16 this year.
The BC Coroners Service released its monthly report on Wednesday, along with its death panel review, calling once again on providing those addicted to drugs with clean, regulated product, saying "urgent action" is needed.
"The first priority must be to stop people from dying, and this will need to include a safer drug supply for people who use street drugs," reads the report.
Across the province, 175 people died in September of toxic drugs, which is 5.8 per day.
Of these deaths, 80 per cent occurred indoors - 48 per cent in private residences and 32 per cent in other residences such as shelters and supportive housing.
Seventy-eight per cent of those who died were men between the ages of 30 and 59.
The death review panel’s report on deaths from toxic drugs notes the primary cause of the increase is the “growing toxicity and unpredictability of the street supply of drugs.”
“The current drug policy framework of prohibition is the primary driver of this illegal, unregulated and toxic street supply,” reads the report.
Furthermore, until there are new “regulatory approaches” in national drug policy and improvements in support, harm reduction and treatment are in place, “the risk of significant harms, death and this public health emergency are unlikely to improve.”
While there have been provincial initiatives to address the drug toxicity crisis, the coroner notes "these initiatives have not been sufficient to stop the rising death toll. A new approach is required, one that includes a specific focus on the toxic drug supply."
