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- Sept 26 - Island surpasses 300 toxic drug deaths
Sept 26 - Island surpasses 300 toxic drug deaths
Victoria's new vegan burger place. Bear spotted in Saanich. Downtown mural unveiled.
Capital Daily Team
September 26, 2023
Good morning !
Today we have the most recent numbers on the toxic drug crisis on the Island. Plus a new burger shop hits town—and it’s entirely plant-based.
— Robyn
Would you eat at the new vegan burger chain, Odd Burger? |
Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.
🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Island surpasses 300 toxic drug deaths in 2023
BC Coroner Lisa Lapointe with Dr. Bonnie Henry. Photo: Province of BC Flickr
This year, 304 Islanders have died from toxic drugs, with 26 deaths in August. This is the lowest monthly average for Island deaths in 2023 with the province also seeing a slight dip in numbers at 174—the first month this year with a death toll below 175—averaging over five deaths a day.
This breaks a 13-month streak of monthly tolls above 190—July’s was 198. Despite this drop, BC is still on track to have its highest yearly death toll in 2023, with 1,665 since January.
According to a release from the province, “caution should be exercised when drawing conclusions regarding trends from a single month of data,” as these deaths are still being investigated by the coroners service. As causes of deaths are confirmed, these numbers could change.
Greater Victoria had six deaths in August—the first month this year to have a toll under 10—Central Island had 16 and North Island had four.
The Greater Victoria Area had 99 deaths in 2023, making it one of the top three townships with the highest number of deaths for 2023, after Surrey and Vancouver.
Substance UVic hasn’t released its August average data yet, but its most recent report showed a 10% average concentration of fentanyl. The fluctuating concentrations of fentanyl in unregulated drugs is a key factor in toxic drug deaths.
The province again stressed that there is no link of prescribed safe supply to toxic drug deaths, saying in a statement “the BC Coroners Service has continued careful screening for the presence of safer supply-related substances in post-mortem testing,” with illicit fentanyl still the most present substance at 85%.
By Robyn Bell
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Road paving on Yates from Fort to Fernwood today and tomorrow—expect delays.
New firefighting funding from province for rural and community fire crews, and a fire prevention campaign.
New fires this weekend: Woodward Rd. in Port Alberni / Sproat Lake area, and Malcolm Island off the northern edge of Van Isle. [Fires map]
Alleged flasher on 31 bus: [Saanich Police]
Flag raised at Legislature for T&R Day, honouring both survivors and lost children. [CRD]
Bear spotted in Saanich: [Saanich News]
NEWS
New vegan burger shop hits downtown
Gone plant-based but still craving fast food? Odd Burger will soon land in Victoria to meet your needs as the world’s first vegan fast food chain after first starting in Ontario. The chain has since expanded across Canada with locations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and now BC. Branded posters are currently up for its new Fisgard location, with a planned opening date soon to be announced.
See what they’ll be slinging at this new location, including their famous burgers, tacos and even some gluten free options.
SPONSORED BY THE ROOT CELLAR
Locally grown goodness from your locally owned green grocer.
Locally grown goodness from your locally owned green grocer.
Time spent gathered around the table is what connects us as people, families, and communities. Step into one of the two Root Cellar markets here in Victoria to experience it, including their second location in Cook Street Village.
Both markets offer Vancouver Island’s largest selection of locally grown, organic, and conventional produce, as well as full-service butchers, delis, artisanal grocery, and more. Poised at the intersection of Victoria’s urban and agricultural regions, their McKenzie Corner flagship, founded in 2008, is also home to the Potting Shed, a boutique florist and beloved garden centre.
Cultivating a strong appreciation of fresh local food and sustainable food systems in the community is a responsibility the award winning Root Cellar takes seriously.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🖼️ New mural downtown pays homage to Victoria’s (and Canada’s) oldest Chinese temple.
🐰 Donnie Darko at Cinecenta: The odd, eerie 2001 cult hit airs Tuesday at 5pm and 7:15pm.
🤸♀️ Jump into learning! Refresh your perspective or dive into new directions. Gain valuable skills and career training with Continuing Studies at UVic.*
😈 Satan Wants You… to see this movie: The new documentary looks at how the worldwide satanic panic began in Victoria. Playing at Cinecenta on Weds. and Thurs.
Sights from the Autumn Lantern Festival, held this month in Saanich. Photos by our friend and collaborator James MacDonald.
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Thousands left without power after first fall storm
Vancouver Island was hit hard with 30 outages by midday Monday from downed power lines. In BC 6,000 people lost power. BC Ferries cancelled four sailings between Victoria and the mainland. [CTV]
Replacing forest land with vineyards raising concerns in Cowichan
North Cowichan will review how much of its forested lands fall under the Agricultural Land Reserve given the increasing amount of land used for commercial wineries. Activists and councillors are concerned that too much focus on creating a wine industry in the valley could negatively affect rare coastal Douglas–fir forests. [Cowichan Valley Citizen]
Fire at Yates & Vancouver
A balcony fire led to a traffic closure on Yates yesterday. The fire moved inside before it was extinguished, with residents allowed to return to their suites the same day. [CHEK]
SPONSORED BY TALL TREE HEALTH
Struggling with anxiety?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is considered the gold standard treatment for anxiety. Tall Tree’s 8-week group CBT course will give you evidence-based skills to regulate your nervous system, identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour that keep you stuck, and manage stressful life situations.
🗓️ Things to do
🍷 Victoria International WIne Festival returns this week, with wine events at the Victoria Conference Centre and Parkside Hotel & Spa. [Schedule / tickets]
🎶 The Manhattan Transfer: The 10-time Grammy winning vocal group will perform at the McPherson Playhouse at 7:30pm.
🎸 Gene Hardy at Hermann’s: The musician will perform his work with Blue Soda at 7pm.
🍸 The Speakeasy at Hermann’s Upstairs: The prohibition-themed event features live music and a swing dance lesson at 7pm.
🖼️ Community mosaic unveiling: The Art of Reconciliation project unveils the new piece created with mosaic tiles painted by the community. 4-6pm Tuesday at Greenglade Community Centre.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Local specialty food shops: If you’re looking for something specific, check out these specialty stores. [Tasting Victoria]
Pacific tree frog hides among the leaves on Denman Island.
Sunday headlines: Nanaimo vs. Alberta in clash over natural gas. New tourism funding. Fight against invasive plants. [Sunday newsletter]
Final week at Sherwood: The eatery across from City Hall with the memorable green interior will close Sept. 29. [Tasting Victoria]
Odour advisory: Maintenance work at McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt continues until Friday. Updates / More CRD info.
That’s it!
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