Photo: Sarita Patel
Another 10 people in Okanagan and nine in Thompson-Cariboo died due to the supply of toxic drugs from BC in April.
Across the province, at least 161 lives were lost overdose in April, a figure equivalent to 5.4 deaths a day.
“Forensic investigations continue to document the volatility and inconsistency of illicit drug supply in our province,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief forensic scientist. “The reality is that every time someone uses drugs bought on the unregulated market, their life is in danger.”
Lapointe said that until a more secure and regulated supply is widely accessible, drug users should never do so alone and only in the presence of someone who can call 911.
“Anyone who uses illicit substances, whether a regular or occasional drug user and whether or not they know their dealer, is currently at risk of unpredictable and unregulated supply.”
Kamloops has been the worst affected city this year in Thompson-Okanagan, with 32 deaths in the first four months, followed by Kelowna (24), Vernon (11) and Penticton (11).
Per capita, the Merritt community is being hit hard this year. These four deaths equate to a death rate per 100,000 of 98.7. For comparison, Kamloops has a mortality rate per 100,000 of 79.3. The province-wide rate is 41 per 100,000.
People who are dying are getting older. Nearly four in ten deaths this year occurred in people under the age of 50.
The rate of benzodiazepine detection increased rapidly from 15% of samples in July 2020 to 45% of samples in April 2022. Benzodiazepines are particularly dangerous because they do not respond to naloxone and create life-saving challenges for to the first auditors.
“The report of the Drug Toxicity Review Panel published earlier this year contains advice focused on urgent measures to reduce the number of people dying as a result of drug toxicity in BC,” Lapointe said.
“The panel highlighted access to a safer supply of medicines as the need to save lives more critical in this crisis, along with a coordinated and goal-oriented provincial strategy and a comprehensive continuum of attention to substance use. The first four months of 2022 show us that our province is on the path to another tragic milestone in terms of lost lives.I hope the implementation of the panel’s recommendations, urgently, it will stop these preventable deaths. “