BC on pace to record 2,000 illicit drug deaths in 2021: Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe SHARE ON: BC Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe: BC Gov Flickr 2021 is turning out to be another grim year when it comes to drug overdose deaths in BC. For the third consecutive month, over five British Columbians per day lost their lives to illicit substances. This comes as the BC Coroners Service reported 158 people passed away in March – 12 of those occurred in Northern Health. The death toll now stands at 498 this year and if the current pace continues, the province could see 2,000 illicit drug deaths this year, smashing last year’s record-high of 1,729.