Northeast B.C. reports two drug overdoses in March

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Two illicit drug overdose deaths were reported in Northeast B.C. in March, after none in the first two months of 2023.

The northeast region reported 20 illicit drug overdoses since March 2022, according to the most recent B.C. Coroners Service report.

The region’s most drug toxicity deaths last year were recorded in April and October. Three deaths were reported each month.

The year with the most deaths in the northeast since 2012, was 2020, with 32 fatal overdoses recorded.

According to the coroner’s service, no deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites. The report states there is no indication that prescribed safe supply contributed to illicit drug deaths.

The Northern Health region reported 19 overdose deaths in March.

The highest number of fatal overdoses reported in the north since 2012 was 183 deaths in 2022.

“The toxic drug crisis continues to devastate families and communities throughout the province, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to do everything possible to turn the tide and end this public health emergency,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

“Our government won’t stop working until we have an integrated system of mental health and addictions services in place that is available for people wherever and whenever they need it.”

In March, the province reported 197 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths, a nine per cent increase from the number of deaths in March 2022.

December 2021 (229) was the only month in the past with more overdose deaths than January 2022 (216) across the province.

By Health Authority, in 2022, the highest rates were in Northern Health (60 deaths per 100,000 people), followed by Vancouver Coastal Health (59 per 100,000).

The Vancouver Coastal Authority has had the most overdose deaths so far in 2023, reporting 190.

Compared to other causes of unnatural deaths, illicit drug overdoses have continued to be the highest since about 2015 in the province, with suicide being the highest before that. The number of illicit drug overdoses dropped slightly in 2019 but went back on the rise in 2020-2021.

The number of overdoses from illicit drugs in March 2023 equals about 6.4 deaths per day across the province.

Vancouver, Surrey, and Greater Victoria have had the highest number of illicit drug overdoses per township in 2022, while the rate in B.C. is 44 deaths per 100,000.

The majority of illicit drug overdoses occurred inside, most in private residences (83 per cent). The remainder occurred outside areas, including vehicles, sidewalks, parks, and other venues.

At 28 per cent, the age group with the highest overdoses is 40 to 49.

Of the overdose deaths, 77 per cent of the deaths were male.

The ongoing opioid crisis continues to spiral out of control after being declared a public health emergency in B.C. in 2016.