With 11 overdose deaths, last week was Vancouver’s deadliest of 2018

Eleven people died of suspected overdose deaths in Vancouver last week between July 23 and 29, making it the city’s deadliest week on record for 2018.

There have been 206 reported overdose deaths in Vancouver this year. In 2017, the number stood at 366 — representing more than one death every day across the city.

“Last week’s death count is simply ghastly: 11 people died due to suspected overdoses. Tragically, this marks Vancouver’s worst week for overdose deaths so far this year,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a news release.

“While the latest report from the B.C. Coroners shows that the number of suspected overdose deaths across the province decreased slightly in June, we don’t see signs that we’ve turned a corner on this public health disaster in Vancouver. A poisoned supply of street drugs continues to kill our loved ones and devastate families across our city. Lives are on the line — people need access to safe prescription drugs rather than being forced to turn to the deadly drugs from organized crime on our streets.”

The city says the data shows the opioid crisis continues to affect Vancouver at alarming rates, despite B.C. Coroners Service reporting Thursday a declining trend in overdose deaths between April and June 2018.

In 2018 so far, 206 Vancouver residents have lost their lives to a suspected overdose.