The number of illicit drug deaths in B.C. continues to rise each month.
In December it reached a new level with a record 142 deaths across the province, the highest ever recorded and an average of more than four deaths per day.
Those numbers bring the yearly total to 914 deaths, an increase of 80% from 2015.
“We recognize that those who are suffering from drug dependency are not going to be able to abstain immediately from drug use,” said chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe. “For those who are not drug dependant, we strongly advise you to avoid experimentation and the casual use of illicit drugs.”
The year-end data shows that over half of the deaths involved people between the ages of 30 and 49.
More alarming: Number of fentanyl overdose deaths. Chart shows non-fentanyl and illicit drug deaths. pic.twitter.com/Kg1C5Q8NyV
— Matt Lee (@mattlee980) January 18, 2017
It also shows that four out of every five people who died were male.
During this epidemic, anyone using illicit drugs is urged to follow a number of harm reduction measures.
“Given the increasing risk of contaminated drugs and the growing number of fatalities, we urge them to use illicit drugs only in the presence of medical expertise or, at the very least, a sober person with access to, and training in, the use of naloxone,” added Lapointe.
However, the data shows that these fatalities aren’t just occurring among those who use opioid drugs such as heroin.
A high percentage of fentanyl detected deaths are coming from popular party drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines.
Specific fentanyl-related data for 2016 is not yet available, but is expected to be released sometime in March.
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