Record number of drug overdose deaths

Mar 2, 2021 | 10:00 AM

The B.C. Coroners Service is reporting 165 drug overdose deaths in January, the largest number ever for the month.

It represents a 104 per cent increase over the number of deaths in January 2020 (81) and a 7 per cent increase over the number of deaths in December 2020 (154).

The numbers equate to about 5.3 deaths per day.

Vernon and Kelowna each had four illicit drug toxicity deaths last month.

“These figures are heartbreaking, both in scale and for the number of families who are grieving the loss of a loved one,” Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner with B.C. Coroners Service, said. “In the fifth year of this public health emergency, there is virtually no community in the province that hasn’t been touched by this devastating loss of life.”

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Almost one in five deaths (18 per cent) noted extreme levels of fentanyl concentrations, while 14 deaths involved carfentanil, a more lethal analogue of fentanyl.

The report also notes recent increases in the presence of unprescribed benzodiazepines and its analogues, including etizolam. Since July 2020, etizolam has been identified in 31 per cent of illicit drug toxicity deaths where expedited testing was performed. In January, benzodiazepines and its analogues were detected in nearly half (49 per cent) of all samples tested. The addition of etizolam to fentanyl increases the likelihood of overdose due to the combined respiratory depressant effects. Etizolam is not licensed in Canada.

“We’re particularly concerned about the toxicity of the drugs detected in many of the deaths recorded in January,” Lapointe said. “The findings suggest that the already unstable drug supply in B.C. is becoming even deadlier, underscoring the urgent need for supervised consumption options, prescribing for safe supply, and accessible treatment and recovery services.”

by Pete McIntyre

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