Aug 31 - 34 Islanders killed by drugs in July

Good morning !

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day and we’ll be looking at July’s toxic drug deaths in BC and on the Island—it’s an article filled with numbers, but today of all days it’s important to remember that those numbers represent friends, family, and neighbours lost to the ongoing health crisis.

We’ve also got some lighter content for you, including a sneak peek at this event-filled long weekend ahead—we hope you take the time to enjoy it!

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 4.5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 19 / 13

Tomorrow: ☀️ 24 / 12

Saturday: ☀️ 23 / 13 

7-day forecast 

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Light smoke expected.

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

260 Islanders killed by toxic drugs in 2023

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, though most BC residents are well aware of the heartbreak associated with the opioid crisis since the province’s public health emergency was declared seven years ago.

Since then, at least 12,739 people in BC have died from toxic drugs—and the numbers continue to grow year over year.

While Greater Victoria had nine deaths in July, the lowest monthly toll in 2023, the city remained among the top three townships with the highest number of deaths this year, following Vancouver and Surrey, with 91.

Greater Campbell River and Greater Nanaimo were among the top five local health areas with the highest number of deaths.

The Island saw 31 deaths in July, down slightly from June’s 34, with a total of 260 in 2023.

BC had 198 suspected deaths in July—the 13th consecutive month with a death toll above 190—and a 4% increase from last month’s 191.

BC is still on track to have the highest yearly number of such deaths in its history, with 1,455 recorded since the beginning of the year—a record-breaking toll within a seven-month period. It’s expected the province will exceed the 2,383 deaths recorded in 2022.

In July, the average concentration of fentanyl in Victoria was 9.9%, though it’s increased to 13.4%, according to the most recent findings from Substance UVic. A key reason why fentanyl is more deadly is the typically unpredictable concentrations found in unregulated drugs.

Carfentanil, an opioid of concern that’s similar to fentanyl, was at its lowest detection rate since recording began two years ago, with four deaths linked to the substance this month.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

COVID variant BA. 2.86 found in Fraser Valley in Canada’s first confirmed case of the potentially more infectious variant.

Saanich reopens heat pump financing program, offering up to $12K to those who switch to an electric heat pump.

RV captured in video exploding near Juan de Fuca Rec Centre:

EVENTS

Events around Victoria this Labour Day long weekend

Labour Day long weekend is commonly thought of as the end of the summer—but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of summer festivities. We’ve compiled some of the best events happening around the city this long weekend.

Saanich Fair 
The annual fair, which first took place in 1868, is this weekend from Saturday-Monday at the Saanich Fairground. This year’s theme is “Jammin’ at the Fair.” The fair hosts amusement rides, highland dancing, horse shows as well as competitions for farm animals, produce, and arts. Aaron Pritchett will perform Saturday, and Prism will perform Sunday.

Out There Art Festival 
This arts film festival hosted by Alter Arts Society at Jackson Park runs Friday-Sunday. Catch interactive art installations and aerial circus and flow arts workshops—plus live music, drag showcases, improv, dance, and magic.

Victoria Fringe Festival 
The 11-day-long indie performing arts festival hosted by Intrepid Theatre wraps up Sunday. Local, national, and international artists will perform dramas, musicals, standup comedy, spoken word, and more. The festival’s nightly Fringe Cabaret, pop-up programming hosted at Intrepid’s studio, continues until Saturday. Then on Sunday, the festival’s Pick of the Fringe Awards night takes place at the Victoria Event Centre.

Moon Fest 
Moon Under Water Brewery is hosting a party Saturday in its parking lot to celebrate the brewery’s 11th anniversary. Live music by Tom Morrissey Band and Cooler, 4-8pm. Check out the photo booth and dog station, and grab a dog beer for your pup. It will serve up pulled pork sandwiches and hot dosa—they’ll even have a beer Zamboni with three brews on tap.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🥪 Last day for Maria’s Deli, after 46 years in Saanich. [Tasting Victoria]

🏋️ Fall adult health and fitness: Register for martial arts courses, fitness classes, personal training, and more.

📽️ Pic-A-Flic closing sale: Rentals are over, but you can still purchase DVDs before the iconic video store shuts its doors in September—DVDs are $40 each, with the price dropping each week.

🐶 Dog Friendly Condominiums: Home is where the dog is; find your next home for you and your pet. Browse real estate listings that permit dogs.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Camosun union reaches tentative deal with college: The tentative agreement was reached under the province’s Shared Recovery Mandate and covers 800 faculty members at the college. Specifics of the agreement will be made publicly available once it is ratified.

Family of man murdered in Rockland wants more information on death: Two years after Jeremy Gordaneer was killed while staying at his mother’s home on a quiet street in Rockland, there has been no further information provided by VicPD or RCMP on what happened that night. Police were called to the home to find Gordaneer had suffered fatal injuries. The family has called on the federal and provincial government to allocate more resources to DNA testing and other investigative tools. [Times Colonist]

Arrest made in series of arson investigations: Edwin Singh, 42, was charged with four counts of arson in Victoria and Saanich, including cars set ablaze at a Mercedes dealership on Government in July, a car near a rental business in June and items on loading docks at separate locations on Government and Tolmie.

🗓️ Things to do

🎵 Music in the Bay: Brandy Moore will perform folk, pop, and soul tunes tonight at Cadboro-Gyro Park, 6-7pm.

🎻 Black Angus at Butchart Gardens: The band will perform West Coast contemporary music with Celtic roots tonight on the open-air stage, 8pm.

🎤 Bat Sabbath at Lucky's: Metal band Cancer Bats will be joined tonight by Black Mastiff. Doors 7pm.

🎸 Andy Graffiti and the House Cats: Drummer Andy Graffiti will be joined tonight at Hermann’s Jazz Club by guitarist and vocalist Kelly Fawcett and bassist Joey Smith. Doors 5:30pm, show 7-9pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Orcas stop by harbour in Port Alberni: Watch the video here.

Guide to Victoria farmers markets: Where to buy fresh produce, artisan crafts, and baked goods. [Tasting Victoria]

Digital memory wall: For International Overdose Awareness Day, the memory wall honours those lost to toxic drug poisoning. Until Sep. 30.

Wednesday’s headlines: Victoria drops speed limit on more streets, lightning ignites new wildfires, Clipper and union negotiations back on, and more. [Aug. 30]

Death on hiking trail near Qualicum after a woman fell on the Nile Creek Trail Sat. [CTV].

That’s it!

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