Kelowna reports 18 drug-related deaths for 2016

The BC Coroners Service has released updated statistics regarding the number of illicit drug-related deaths in 2016 and numbers continue to grow in Kelowna.

From January through May 2016, the Coroners Service reported there were 308 accidental overdose deaths in the province. This is a 75 per cent increase over the number of deaths reported in 2015.

According to a statement released from the Coroners’ Service, data suggests that the proportion of illicit drug overdose deaths in which fentanyl was detected increased 56 per cent during the first four months of the year.

The province has seen a steady increase year over year with fentanyl-related deaths. In Kelowna, there have been 18 illicit drug overdose deaths so far in 2016. Vancouver had 53, Surrey 37, Victoria 24 and Kamloops 18 reported deaths.

“From January through May 2016, an average of 61.6 apparent illicit drug overdose deaths occurred each month. In 2015, the average number of illicit drug overdose deaths per month was 40.3,” said coroner Barb McLintock.

In 2016, there were 77 illicit drug overdose deaths, the largest number of deaths in a single month. During the month of May, there were 42 apparent illicit drug overdose deaths in the province.

The report also gives a breakdown of each region and the number of illicit drug overdose deaths. From January to May 2016, 57 of the 308 deaths occurred in the BC Interior region. The Fraser region reported the highest number of deaths with 93, followed by Metro Vancouver with 72.

According to the report, the majority of those who died as a result of an overdose fell into the 20-29 and 30-39 age ranges. The majority of deaths in the province over this time period were male, 250, compared to females, 58.

In order for a death to fall into an illicit drug overdose category, it would include street drugs, medications not prescribed to the deceased, a combination of the two, or the origin of the drug is not known.