Meth Deaths Climb in Vancouver

According to The Province newspaper in Vancouver, the number of British Columbians dying with methamphetamine in their systems has more than doubled in the past year. Toxicology tests show that 33 people died with the drug in their systems in 2004, 15 in 2003, nine in 2002, five in 2001 and three in 2000. Of the 33 deaths last year, 29 were men and four women.

Drug production is up, too. In 2003, police took apart 11 meth labs and two ecstasy producers; in 2004, they took down 19 meth and five ecstasy labs.