By Tom Mark

Suspected Drug Deaths Up In September

Nov 9, 2017 | 10:30 AM

New numbers from the BC Coroners Service show that the number of drug overdose deaths in BC this year now stands at one thousand 103.

There were 80 suspected drug overdose deaths in September, 31 per cent more than September of 2016.

Approximately 83% of the total number of deaths had fentanyl detected, representing an increase of 147% over the same period in 2016.

In most cases, fentanyl was combined with other illicit drugs, most often cocaine, heroin or methamphetamines.

Carfentanil has been detected in 37 suspected illicit drug overdose deaths between June and September of 2017.

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More suspected illicit drug overdose deaths occurred during the five days following income assistance payments than in all other days of the month so far in 2017, with an average of six deaths per day.

Vernon has had 17 deaths so far this year com,pared with 12 last year.

Kelowna has had 63 compared with 47 to the end of September in 2016.

Vancouver Coastal Health Authority has the highest rate of illicit drug overdose deaths at 37.8 deaths per 100,000 individuals among all health authorities and also experienced the largest increase in rate from 2016 at a 59% increase;

* Almost three out of every four deaths involved persons between the ages of 30 and 59;

* Four out of five who died were male;

* Nine out of every 10 deaths occurred indoors, including more than half in private residences; and,

* No deaths occurred at any supervised consumption site or at any of the drug overdose prevention sites.

Learn More

* Latest report on illicit drug deaths: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/death-investigation/statistical/illicit-drug.pdf

by Tom Mark