By Cheryl Jahn

Drug Overdoses Down

BC Coroners Service releases latest numbers

Oct 16, 2019 | 3:43 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The BC Coroners Service has released the latest numbers on the war on drugs.

In this region, there were 25 deaths due to illicit drug use. Twelve deaths were reported in Prince George and half were linked to fentanyl use. The numbers steadily climb year-over-year. In 2018, that number jumped to 98 overdose deaths in the North and 49 deaths in Prince George. Of that figure, 46 were the result of fentanyl use. But those numbers are tapering off.

“In Prince George, for example, in 2018 we saw 49 throughout the year related to illicit drug toxicity. That works out to about four deaths per month,” says Andy Watson with the BC Coroners Service. “As we enter 2019, we’re seeing the average down to about two and half deaths per month through the first six months of the year.”

Other key data from this latest report: August says a 37% decrease in overdose deaths compared to August of 2018, males accounted for 77% of illicit drug death and 71% of those dying were between the ages of 30 and 59. Northern Health says, while one death is too many, the apparent trend is hope

“This is a pattern we’re seeing across BC entirely, so it’s something we’re trying to look at more as a province and understand why the number of deaths has been going down.”

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She believes some of the harm reduction efforts that have been undertaken recently may be bearing fruit.

But Watson also attributes some of the decreased to education and awareness.

“It’s taken a village and it’s taken a number of people to step up and really commit to trying to help with this crisis.”

Off all the illicit drug death between 2016 and 2018, 81% are connected to fentanyl.