B.C. overdose crisis: Record-breaking number of illicit drug overdoses in first 9 months of 2021

Vancouver –

Within the first 9 months of 2021, greater than 1,500 individuals have died of illicit drug overdose in British Columbia.

In her newest report, the province’s chief coroner says it is probably the most overdose deaths B.C. has ever seen in that point interval.

Lisa Lapointe stated in assertion Tuesday morning that 333 individuals died in August and September of this 12 months, bringing the demise toll thus far to 1,534.

Along with being probably the most ever illicit overdose deaths seen within the first 9 months of the 12 months, it is a 24 per cent improve over the 1,240 deaths recorded in the identical interval final 12 months.

And, Lapointe stated, September was the twelfth consecutive month by which no less than 150 individuals died as a result of poisonous illicit medicine. The typical monthly is now at 170 deaths.

Evaluating the present demise price to again in 2016, when B.C. first declared a public well being emergency, the speed has almost doubled. It’s now at 39.4 deaths per 100,000 residents within the province.

“The demise price as a result of poisonous medicine has by no means been increased,” she stated.

“Pressing motion on various fronts is required.”

The chief coroner known as the newest replace “heartbreaking,” and as in earlier months, famous a difficulty with a “unstable and more and more poisonous” provide of medication, lots of that are reduce with the ultra-potent opioid fentanyl.

Lapointe stated Tuesday that fentanyl and its analogues, together with the even stronger carfentanil, have been detected in 84 per cent of all 2021 illicit drug deaths.

Along with fentanyl, most individuals have had cocaine, methamphetamine/amphetamine or different opioids of their system once they died.

This can be a breaking information story and might be up to date.