VICTORIA — The BC Coroners Service says there were 2,511 suspected illicit drug deaths last year, the highest annual toll ever recorded.

Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says close to 14,000 people have died since the province declared a public health emergency in April 2016.

Lapointe says the surging death toll is a direct result of the powerful opioid fentanyl, which continues to be the main driver in toxic deaths.

More coming.

The Canadian Press