Illicit drug deaths a continuing concern

published on October 20, 2016 in BC Government

The number of illicit drug deaths in British Columbia through the first nine months of 2016 has exceeded the number for the whole year of 2015, according to the latest statistics from the BC Coroners Service.

For the first nine months of 2016 (Jan. 1 through Sept. 30), provisional data indicates that the total number of deaths from illicit drug overdoses was 555, compared to 508 for the 12 months of 2015.

The total number of illicit drug deaths in September was 56, up from 49 in August. (The numbers for the previous month may change slightly as the result of further investigation into some deaths.)

Fentanyl remains a major contributor to the high number of deaths. From Jan. 1 through Aug. 31, 2016, there were a total of 302 cases in which fentanyl was detected, about 61% of all illicit drug deaths. That number is more than triple the number of fentanyl-detected deaths for the same period last year.

The BC Coroners Service continues to stress the importance of harm-reduction measures that need to be taken by anyone using illicit drugs. These include never using alone, having naloxone present and readily available when using, and knowing the signs of an overdose and calling 911 immediately.

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© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.