BC drug overdose deaths down again but coroner warns against complacency

The number of people dying from drug overdoses in British Columbia has continued to decline in 2019.

Latest figures show that there were 69 deaths from suspected drug toxicity in October of this year, compared to 118 in the same month last year.

That represents a 42% decrease.

But the chief coroner sought to add that overdoses numbers are still high.

"While Coroners Service data show that the number of fatalities related to illicit drug toxicity has decreased this year, we know from our partners in health care that the number of non-fatal drug toxicity events remains high," said Lisa Lapointe.

"The drug supply in our province is unpredictable and perilous, and the long-term impacts of drug toxicity can be severe.

"The decrease in the number of fatalities is a promising trend, but we need to continue to keep our focus on this crisis of unsafe supply and continue to explore meaningful measures to reduce the risks for all British Columbians."

So far this year Kelowna has seen 27 drug overdose deaths (it was 55 in 2018), Vernon has seen 12 (24 last year), Kamloops 24 (46 last year) and Prince George 22 (48 last year).

The likes of Vancouver (210 this year, 395 last) and Surrey (105 this year, 214 last) appear to be experiencing marked declines in deaths.

But Penticton has already had a record bad year, with 17 deaths so far (compared to a previous high of 16 last year).

From January to October 2019, medics responded to over 20,000 overdose calls around BC.

If a medic responds to an overdose, the patient has a 99% chance of survival, according to recent data.

"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," Lapointe said.

"We must continue to remain vigilant."