New statistics have been released by the BC Coroners on the recent drug overdose numbers in British Columbia.
The total of 256 people have died of an overdose in the province between Jan.1 and April 30, 2016. The new numbers represent an increase of 88.2 per cent from the 136 deaths that occurred in the same period last year.
The BC Coroners Service said that fentanyl was detected in 49 per cent of the illicit drug-related deaths that occurred in the first three months of the year. The provincial government is urging those who use illicit drugs to exercise caution given the high number of fentanyl related deaths that have occurred in the province.
Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said it is important that illicit drug users have medical assistance or a support person in the event of an overdose.
“Naloxone is now widely available in the province, including in some pharmacies without a prescription, and can be administered by anyone trained to use it,” said Lapointe.
“This administration is often extremely successful in preventing what would otherwise be tragic opiate drug overdose death.”
The full report with a breakdown of drug overdose within regions can be viewed online.
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