Illicit drug overdoses up a lot year-over-year

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – BC’s top doctor feels there is more that can be done to fight the ongoing opioid overdose crisis as the number of people dying in this province, and across the country, continues to rise.

What’s interesting about the latest statistics is the Coroners Service says 111 people died of illicit overdose deaths in the province in June, that’s the lowest monthly death toll so far this year, however, experts feel the message still isn’t getting through.

“While it’s a relief to see the lowest number of deaths for any month to date in 2017, we are still seeing a significant increase in illicit drug overdose deaths compared even with this time last year and are continuing to lose loved and valued members of our communities at a tragic rate,” says Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe.

The number of deaths so far this year is 780, up from 414 at the same time in 2016, and figures show almost three-quarters of all illicit drug deaths involved someone between the ages of 30 and 59-years-old. Four-out-of-five who died were men.

The province says nine-in-10 overdose deaths happened inside, including more than half in homes and no deaths took place at a supervised injection site.

“The drug supply is unsafe and anyone using illicit drugs is at high risk for overdose. I urge anyone using drugs, whether casually or regularly, not to use alone. Many deaths our coroners attend are in response to people who overdose with no one available to provide or summon critical and immediate medical assistance,” adds Lapointe.

She adds the same suggestions experts have been making for over a year continue. Things like never take drugs alone, know the signs of an overdose and make sure you have an antidote, like naloxone, nearby.

The Coroners Service has also released updated data on fentanyl-detected deaths from January to May 2017, with 78 per cent of illicit drug deaths reported during that period containing the drug, that’s more than double the number of those deaths occurring during the same period in 2016.

The new NDP government says this is the most serious public health crisis the province has seen in decades. “All kinds of families from all walks of life are affected by the opioid crisis,” says Judy Darcy, minister responsible for mental health and addictions. She adds in the coming weeks the government will be working on expanding the availability of naloxone.