BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) responded to a total of 18 overdose events in Williams Lake between May 19 to 25.
Seven of the overdoses were on May 22, according to an emailed response from BCEHS to an inquiry from the Tribune.
This is in comparison to nine overdose/toxic drug events the week prior from May 12 to May 18.
At the May 27 city council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer for Williams Lake Gary Muraca provided a verbal report to council and the public audience on public safety and issues in the downtown which included reporting the high numbers of overdoses or drug poisonings from the RCMP.
Muraca said there were record-setting numbers of RCMP files, which included helping to assist EHS with their responses to the multiple drug overdose events.
"EMS [sic] was overwhelmed with the amount of overdose calls, and therefore the RCMP were getting called to assist the EMS [sic]," he said, noting this takes RCMP away from their policing duties.
Interior Health also issued a toxic drug alert on May 23, 2025 and said the alert is in effect until May 30.
An EHS spokesperson said paramedics and emergency call takers have saved the lives of many patients who have suffered drug poisonings/overdoses.
"Together with our health partners and public safety organizations, we continue to evaluate the impact of our efforts and make decisions based on the tracking of these calls," stated the EHS.
The majority of overdose or poisoning deaths occur when people use indoors and alone, according to the BC Coroners Service. The BC EHS said it is important to not use alone, to call 9-1-1 if you see someone who may be overdosing, or to use the Connect by Lifeguard App if you are using drugs alone.
"Paramedics will tell you there is no typical overdose/poisoning patient. This crisis is affecting people from all walks of life," stated the BC EHS.
Local services are available for substance use connections at 250-267-6625 or crisis response at 250-305-8496.
From Interior Health:
Crisis response services
- In Williams Lake, Interior Health has a Crisis Response team to help with assessment and linkages to appropriate community and hospital resources. An IH mental health outreach liaison clinician also receives referrals directly from the RCMP and would attend on all mental health related calls. One of the roles of this existing team member is helping RCMP determine if criteria for an individual are met for involuntary admission and care, at which point RCMP have the authority to bring the individual to the hospital for further assessment.
- We also offer short-term, five to ten-day stabilization for people experiencing mental health crises, and withdrawal management for people with alcohol or drug use disorders.
- Addiction medicine consultation is available for people needing medical support and substance use treatment while in the hospital.
Substance use services
- Access to appropriate health care and overdose prevention services is a priority for Interior Health and we work to deliver these services to support all people and meet them where they are at.
- Substance use services are delivered through a continuum of care and range from harm reduction approaches (such as take-home Naloxone kits and training, and overdose prevention outreach in the community) to support services and referrals that connect people to treatments (such as counselling and withdrawal management).
- Substance use is happening in all communities and, in partnership with other health agencies, we are working to help people who use substances to do so in the safest ways possible while trying to reduce community and social impacts.
This story has since been edited to provide BC EHS's correction to the numbers they initially provided.
