Record year for overdose deaths in B.C.

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A total of 132 people died due to drug overdose deaths in the Northern Health region last year, up from 67 in 2019.

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The BC Coroners Service says Northern Health had the highest illicit drug toxicity death rate per 100,000 people by health authority at 46. The average in B.C. was 33.4.

Some other key findings found in a new report by the BC Coroners Service include:

• There were 152 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in December 2020. This is a 130% increase over the number of deaths in December 2019 (66) and a 4% decrease from the number of deaths that occurred in November 2020 (158).
• In 2020, 69% of those dying were aged 30 to 59, and males accounted for 81% of deaths.
• The communities that experienced the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2020 were Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria.
• Fentanyl or its analogues continued to be detected in more than 80% of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2020. Cocaine and methamphetamine were the next most commonly detected drugs.
• In 2020, 84% of illicit drug toxicity deaths occurred inside (56% in private residences and 28% in other residences including social and supportive housing, single-residence occupancies, shelters, and hotels and other indoor locations) and 14% occurred outside in vehicles, sidewalks, streets, parks, etc.
• Illicit drug toxicity death rates among individuals aged 19-59 has been trending downwards over several months, while rates among persons aged 60 and up have been trending upwards. Rates among those aged 0-18 remain low.
• No deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites