The BC Coroners Service says there were another 158 suspected illicit drug overdose deaths across the province in the month of March.
It is a 41 per cent increase from the 112 deaths in March of 2020, tying the record 158 deaths in March 2018. This latest data comes after the “deadliest February on record” this year where 157 overdose deaths have now been reported.
In Kamloops, there were seven overdose deaths in March, taking the total this year to 12. The city saw a record 60 overdose deaths in last year.
So far in 2021, there have been 498 overdose deaths in the province, an 85 per cent increase from the 268 deaths in the first three months of 2020. To date, 84 per cent of all overdose deaths in 2021 have involved the presence of fentanyl, down slightly from the 86 per cent in 2020, though the Coroners note data this year will change as more toxicology results are received.
“The illicit drug supply has become dramatically more toxic and, tragically, more lethal. The effects of two public health emergencies have taken an immense toll. People and communities are hurting, and we will do more to stop this terrible surge of overdose deaths,” Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Sheila Malcolmson said, in a statement.
“Together with our partners, we are building a culturally safe, trauma-informed system of mental health and addictions care that works for everyone in British Columbia. “Budget 2021 invests a historic $500 million in people’s mental health and well-being, and aims to turn the tide on the terrible tragedy.”
BC Liberal Critic for Mental Health and Addictions, Trevor Halford, says this NDP government needs to take action right now to help people instead of just supplementing programs to keep people alive.
“Instead, the NDP is inexplicably spending less on support this year compared to the next three fiscal years. Sons, brothers, aunts and so many others across B.C. can’t afford for John Horgan and the NDP to wait any longer,” he said, in a statement.
“It’s time for this government to ensure they have access to the appropriate care and supports needed today.”
The BC Coroners Service says 80 per cent of the people who died of an overdose were men, while 69 per cent of the people who died were between the age of 30 and 59.
For the latest data go here.
