THE BC Liberals on Tuesday said that the latest illicit drug overdose report by the Coroners Service has confirmed the tragic reality that 2021 will likely be the deadliest year ever for opioid deaths.

“Month after month we detail record-breaking numbers of overdose deaths, but the NDP continues to fail to deliver any meaningful action,” said Trevor Halford, BC Liberal Critic for Mental Health and Addictions.

“Immediate action is needed to expand pathways to recovery, so people can get the help they need when they need it. But so far, the NDP has failed to adequately expand supports — leaving those suffering from addiction without a continuum of care, without nearly enough treatment beds, and with little-to-no focus on prevention.”

Both August 2021 and September 2021 saw the largest number of suspected deaths ever recorded in those respective months. So far this year there have been 1,534 overdose deaths, a 24 per cent increase over last year, the BC Liberals noted.

“Adding a handful of treatment beds sporadically around B.C. is not the meaningful change that will help save lives. The NDP need to get serious about systemic change that will have a long-term impact,” said Halford. “Too many British Columbians continue to lose their lives in this ongoing crisis. How many years will people have to wait for the NDP to take this deteriorating crisis seriously?”