There were 25 deaths related to consuming unregulated drugs in Terrace in 2024 according to the B.C. Coroners Service annual report.
That translates to a drug death rate of 109 per 100,000 population, which was fourth in the province only behind Greater Campbell River, Lillooet and Vancouver's Centre North region.
Both the total deaths and death rate in Terrace are the second highest they have been in the past eight years, second to 2022 when Terrace had 27 deaths and a rate of 122.9 per 100,000.
"It's frustrating to see so little change in the numbers, even one death is too many," said Taylor Bachrach, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP. "Each one represents a family that lost someone dear to them."
Claire Rattée, MLA for Skeena, who overcame addiction herself, believes that three things are necessary to address this crisis, both in Terrace and across the province: mental health and prevention programs, cracking down on the illegal drug supply, and expanding access to treatment and recovery programs.
"This will require both immediate action and long-term investment," expressed Rattée, who is the B.C. Conservative Party’s Critic for Mental Health and Addictions.
"Many people struggling with substance use are dealing with underlying issues like trauma, homelessness, or mental health challenges," she said. "Without addressing these root causes, long-term progress is difficult to achieve. Expanding counselling, housing support, and early intervention programs is critical."
While Northern Health has established an overdose prevention site in Terrace, staffing capacity continues to be a challenge with the centre opening only four hours a day, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays. The site is at 101-4450 Grieg Ave. at the Stepping Stones Building.
Discrimination against substance users in Terrace is a factor in the delay of much-needed harm reduction and treatment programs, according to a 2024 report by B.C. Office of Human Rights claims.
“There was a considerable resistance to establishing an opioid agonist therapy clinic in Terrace, from both the public and some physicians,” the report states.
However, there are now 25 detox beds available in Terrace — 10 new beds at Kysen Regional Hospital and five at the new Seven Sisters mental health residence to add to the 10 beds opened by Northern Health in 2023. These can be used either for voluntary or involuntary care depending on the staffing situation.
Rattée believes the number is still not high enough.
"We need more accessible detox, inpatient, and outpatient treatment options tailored to diverse needs, including facilities specifically for women, Indigenous communities, and youth," she said. "The lack of available beds and long wait times are key issues that need addressing."
While there is no gender breakdown for Terrace specifically, men represented 67.6 per cent of drug-related deaths and women represented 32.3 per cent in the Northern Health region. The B.C. Coroner's Service report did not include race-based data.
Rattée also says that strengthening law enforcement efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks, as well as supporting people who want to leave street-level drug involvement, is essential.
In March 2024, Northern Health released a health alert due to an increase in drug poisoning/overdose events in Terrace that were linked to smoking a purple substance sold as "down." It causes prolonged sedation and requires multiple doses of Naloxone to reverse.
For safety purposes, the health authority recommends getting drugs checked with the Terrace Specialized Mental Health and Substance Use team (formerly ICMT). Samples can be dropped off for FTIR analysis seven days a week between 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
