Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. VICTORIA -- More than 1,800 people died in British Columbia last year from illicit drug overdoses, and while the coroner's service says it still represents a "profound loss of life," it's a 21 per cent decrease from the year before and almost 30 per cent down from the peak in 2023.

More access to naloxone has helped drive a national decline in opioid-related deaths. Military veterans may be able to buy naloxone over the counter at CVS or Walgreens, but not at their local VA clinic.

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is one of the most important drugs in the United States' fight against the opioid crisis.