Drug toxicity deaths down in B.C., but coroner warns supply still tainted
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Thu, 05 Dec 2019 18:29:27 +0000
The BC Coroners Service is warning drug users that while the number of drug toxicity deaths is going down, the supply on the street is still tainted and unpredictable.
The coroner reported Thursday that that there were 69 suspected drug toxicity deaths in October 2019, a 42 per cent decrease over the 118 deaths in October 2018, and a 21 per cent decrease over the 57 deaths in September.
Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said in a statement Thursday that while the number of fatalities has decreased this year, the number of non-fatal drug toxicity events remains high.
“The drug supply in our province is unpredictable and perilous, and the long-term impacts of drug toxicity can be severe,” said Lapointe.
She called the numbers a “promising trend” but noted there must be a focus on the unsafe supply of drugs.
From January to October, paramedics in B.C. responded to more than 20,000 overdose calls around the province, an average of 64 potential drug poisoning calls per day, according to the coroner.
The coroner says data show that when paramedics respond to a potential overdose patient, the patient has a 99 per cent chance of survival.
“This is why all partners in public health continue to stress the importance of not using alone and to call 911 if you see someone who may be experiencing adverse effects of a drug event,” said Lapointe said.
These tips can help to prevent fatal overdoses:
* Always carry a naloxone kit with you even if you don’t use drugs, and call 911 if you see an overdose;
* If using drugs, have them checked if you can and never use alone. Use at a supervised consumption site or overdose prevention site, if possible; and
* If you think you might have a substance-use disorder, talk to your health provider about treatments that are available.
Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria, and Abbotsford are experiencing the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2019. The four communities account for almost half the illicit drug toxicity deaths in B.C. this year.
Princeton, Grand Forks, and Keremeos also have high rates of drug toxicity deaths.
ticrawford@postmedia.com