Data shows overdose deaths increased during BC decriminalization pilot — but why?

Federal health data show overdose deaths increased during British Columbia's drug decriminalization pilot and declined after the policy was rolled back.

According to Blacklock's Reporter, overdose deaths rose from 2,098 in 2022 to 2,347 in 2024, an increase of 12% during the province's decriminalization pilot.

The federal exemption, which took effect on Feb. 1, 2023, decriminalized public possession of up to 2.5 grams of cocaine, opioids and other narcotics. The pilot was originally set to run until Jan. 31, 2026, but was suspended effective May 7, 2024 following complaints of public disorder.

Blacklock's reported overdose deaths fell 22% to 1,841 in 2025 after police resumed enforcement. 

The figures also align with data from the BC Coroners Service showing toxic drug deaths increased 16.5% during the 15-month decriminalization period compared to the previous 15 months.

But what impact did decriminalization really have?

Data shows overdose deaths have risen and fallen multiple times over the past decade. There was a spike, for example, during the COVID-19 pandemic — before the government brought in the aforementioned policy.

A recent study published by the Society for Medical Decision Making suggests that between 2019 and 2024, access to naloxone prevented 76% to 80% of potential opioid poisoning deaths. During that time, however, over 12,000 people still lost their lives to the crisis.

Further, a BC government report following the ending of decriminalization found that "with the prevalence of strong synthetic opioids in the illegal drug supply, turning to unfamiliar sources or suppliers to replace the seized drugs increases the risk of overdose" and that "fear of drug seizure prevents people from accessing life-saving services, from calling police in unsafe situations, and from calling emergency services during overdoses."

Drug toxicity is a leading factor in overdoses; when the supply is tainted, it becomes more dangerous. A report from the BC government found that fentanyl was "detected in 79% to 87% of unregulated drug deaths" between 2017 and 2024.

Likewise, a number of factors played a role in the decline post-decriminalization, such as changes in drug toxicity, access to treatment, safer supply policies, the distribution of naloxone, and investments in public health and housing.

Public Health Agency of Canada analysis underscored that reality, suggesting the reduced rate of overdose was "most likely due to changes in the drug supply, naloxone availability, and a declining population at risk of opioid-related overdose."

With that in mind, it's impossible to measure the impact decriminalization itself had on the rise in overdoses, or the extent to which the removal of the policy reversed that trend.