Northern Health region leads BC in overdoses per capita

PRINCE GEORGE – 207 people died of toxic drug overdoses in January throughout the province according to the latest numbers from BC’s Ministry of Health.

Northern Health leads the province with 63 calls for paramedics per 100,000 residents. That is the highest in the province beating Vancouver Coastal by over 20 calls per 100,000 people.

Overdoses are up province wide, nearly doubling since January, 2020. A large reason for this increase is the ever growing amount of drugs like fentanyl are becoming more toxic according to Sheila Malcomson, BC Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Health officials note other drugs like benzodiazepines are becoming more popular and those overdoses can not be treated with naloxone.