The BC Coroners Service continues to release grim monthly stats surrounding drug overdose deaths across British Columbia.
On Wednesday morning, the coroners service revealed that August 2020 had 147 illicit drug toxicity deaths reported in B.C. – the sixth month in a row that has surpassed the 100 mark.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, the service stated that the drug overdose death toll last month represents a 71 per cent increase from August 2019, which saw 86 deaths. The press release did outline, however, that deaths in August dropped by 16 per cent when compared with July 2020, which had 176 total deaths.
The August death toll equates to approximately 4.7 deaths per day in B.C. as a result of drug overdoses. Victoria continues to be one of the townships experiencing the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province, along with Vancouver and Surrey.
Deaths continue to be linked to males, with 81 per cent of the August overdoses being men. Also, 69 per cent of those dying were aged 30 to 59.
The year 2020 currently ranks as having the third highest annual total of drug overdose deaths since 2010. So far this year, the B.C. Coroners Service has reported 1,068 illicit drug deaths with still four months to go. The current total for 2020 ranks only behind 2018 (1,547) and 2017 (1,494), according to data from the coroners service.
The current total for 2020 after eight months has also already surpassed the annual total from 2019.
The BC Coroners Service says that post-mortem toxicology testing data continues to showcase an increase in extreme fentanyl concentrations – exceeding 50 micrograms per litre – in April, May, June, July and August of this year, when compared to previous months.
Between April and August 2020, approximately 14 per cent of illicit drug deaths showed signs of extreme fentanyl concentrations, compared with 8 per cent between January 2019 and March 2020.
Along with illicit fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamines continue to be the top drugs involved in these deaths.
The number of non-fatal overdose incidents has also increased significantly, according to a press release. BC Emergency Health Services reports close to 7,500 overdose calls throughout B.C. this summer, making it the highest number of overdose calls ever recorded in a three-month stretch.
Officials continue to encourage British Columbians to use the Lifeguard app, aimed at preventing drug overdoses.
Graham Cox
