Four more people have died in 91Ô­´´ of the toxic illicit drug supply, even as the number of total deaths across the province has dipped to a low not seen since the pandemic.

The number of deaths to date this year rose to 33 in 91Ô­´´ in October, up from 29 in September.

Across British Columbia, 155 people died to the drug supply, according to preliminary data released on Dec. 9 by the B.C. Coroners Service.

This is the lowest monthly number of drug deaths in B.C. since September 2020, but the Coroners Service emphasized that risk of death and harm remains high.

From January to October this year, 1,925 people have died in B.C., nine per cent below last year's number of 2,107 deaths over the same time.

Even at a lower rate, this means five people a day are dying in B.C., in a public health crisis largely caused by the presence of powerful fentanyl in street drugs.

"We are building a system that provides life-saving tools, such as take-home naloxone and drug-checking services that can help people take their first steps toward recovery when they are ready," said B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne. "At the same time, we are taking action to expand treatment, recovery and crisis supports so everyone can receive timely, compassionate care without stigma or barriers."

Deaths remain highly concentrated among men in their 30s and 40s, with half of all deaths among those aged 30 to 49, and 78 per cent in October were men.

Multiple drugs are frequently present when the deceased are tested, with the primary two drug types being fentanyl, in 87.1 per cent of cases, and stimulants in 80.7 per cent.

Drug deaths in B.C. began climbing sharply in 2015 when fentanyl became a major part of the province's drug supply. Deaths province-wide rose from 370 in 2014 to 529 in 2015, and then 997 in 2016.

Street drugs remain the leading cause of unnatural death in B.C. by a wide margin, well above car crashes, prescription medication overdoses, or homicide.

Police have recently busted "super labs" producing fentanyl in B.C., including one found in rural 91Ô­´´.