Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Ashley Legassic

OVERDOSE CRISIS

Coroners Service renews call for safe drug supply in B.C.

Feb 24, 2020 | 10:53 AM

VICTORIA — More than 5,000 people have died from drug overdoses in B.C. since a public health emergency was declared in 2016.

In a news release, the BC Coroners Service says there were 981 suspected overdose deaths in 2019 — meaning nearly three people died per day.

“Though the 981 illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2019 represent a 36 (per cent) decrease from similar deaths in 2018, the number is virtually identical to the number of those who died in 2016, the year the provincial health emergency was declared,” the service says in the release.

Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe says the BC Coroners Service and other partners are calling for safe access to drugs.

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“More than 5,000 lives have been lost in B.C. since 2016 as a result of illicit drug toxicity. These deaths have deeply hurt families and communities across our province and represent an immense loss of potential in all walks of life,” Lapointe says. “The number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2019 remains higher than motor vehicle incidents, suicides and homicides combined, and B.C. continues to bear the heaviest toll of the impacts of the unpredictable, profit-driven, illicit drug market.

“Collectively, we continue to urge for greater access to safe supply for those in our community who are experiencing, and struggling to live with, substance use disorder.”

A continuing trend is middle-aged men being over-represented with more than three quarters of suspected overdose deaths involving men, and 71 per cent involving people aged 30 to 59.

Most deaths occur indoors.

“The decrease in the number of British Columbians dying from this crisis is encouraging and indicates that our harm-reduction measures to keep people alive are working,” says Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer. “We’re dealing with addiction. And addiction is an illness, a health condition. We are in no way out of this crisis yet. We continue to see very high rates of overdose events across the province and are seeing increased numbers of young people with long-lasting health effects after overdosing.

“The measures we are taking to ensure access to services are there for people who use drugs when they are ready and able to start their path to recovery. And in the meantime, we need to change our approach so that people who use drugs are able to seek help without the fear of being charged criminally and with access to a pharmaceutical alternative, instead of what is clearly a toxic street-drug supply.”

In 2019, there were at least 24 overdose deaths in Kamloops — down from 46 in 2018.