VICTORIA - A report by British Columbia’s provincial health officer says that while alcohol use in the province has reached a 20-year low after spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s still above both national and recommended levels.

The report says that as of 2023, people in B.C. average 8.8 drinks per week, compared to the national average of 8.2 and significantly above the recommended one to two drinks per week to avoid most alcohol‑related health risks.