Whitehorse General Hospital on October 23rd. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – There were no deaths linked to toxic drugs in the Yukon in the first three months of this year, according to the Chief Coroner’s latest update.
Officials say that marks a clear drop compared to recent years, when deaths related to toxic drugs have remained consistently high. They caution the change does not mean the risk has eased, noting the illicit drug supply remains highly toxic.
The Yukon government declared a Substance Use Health Emergency in January 2022 following a rise in drug-related deaths.
Since 2016, the Chief Coroner has recorded 149 deaths caused by or related to toxic drugs in the territory.
