More people died from overdoses of illicit drugs in British Columbia in the first third of the year than ever in the province, according to recently released data, in part because of a growing proportion of benzodiazepine-containing street drugs.
A BC Coroners Service report shows that 722 deaths have been attributed to drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl (and often a combination) between January and April.
It is an average of 180.5 deaths per month, the second highest monthly average ever seen in the province.
And strictly speaking these four months, this is the highest toll ever seen in BC
At that time last year, 721 people had died, a total that, at that time, surpassed the previous record with 164 deaths.
The solemn news comes after a federal government announcement that health officials will allow BC’s request to decriminalize small amounts of drugs behind these deaths. The three-year trial begins next year and the amount that Health Canada allows -2.5 grams is well below the 4.5 requested by the province. Critics also said before approval that the province was already asking for very little.
When the program begins in late January, adults with this amount or less will not be charged for personal possession and will not have their drugs confiscated.
The goal is to save lives as police provide information about available services rather than handcuffing themselves.
With months to go before the program begins, the latest forensic report shows that the province may be on track to reach another death toll.
There were 161 illicit drug overdose deaths in April alone, which is the second highest number of deaths observed this month and equates to about 5.4 people each day.
WHO DIES?
So far this year, officials say, about three-quarters of those who have died were between 30 and 59 years old. Most were men, most were in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health authorities, most were in private residences, social housing. and shelters at that time.
None were in places of supervised consumption or overdose prevention, and there is no indication through post-mortem toxicology reports that the prescribed safe supply contributes to the number of deaths, the forensic report said. Although many associate the crisis with use on sidewalks and parks, only 14% of deaths occurred in these places, compared to 84% indoors.
In terms of numbers, the Lower Mainland is seeing the most deaths, which makes sense as the most populous part of BC. But in terms of mortality rates, Northern Health continues to have the highest rate, at 58 per 100,000 people, compared to the provincial average rate. of 41. The specific areas that see the highest rates in BC this year are Lillooet, Mission, Cariboo / Chilcotin, Merritt and Alberni / Clayoquot.
Illicit drug toxicity remains the leading cause of unnatural death in the province.
RECENT TRENDS OF CONCERN
These trends have been observed for much of the province’s six-year overdose crisis.
What worries authorities lately is that the female overdose rate is rising, as is the rate of people dying over the age of 50.
Fentanyl remains a concern, as its presence is still noticeable in the systems of most (83%) who have died this year, but officials are also closely monitoring the rate of benzodiazepine detection.
Also known as benzos, the drugs were found in about 15 percent of the samples tested last July. In April, benzos were found in 45% of the samples.
Responding to overdoses involving both benzoids and opioids is more complex, according to health officials, as naloxone, sometimes known as the Narcan brand, will only address the symptoms of opioid overdose.
The benzodiazepine analogue etizolam, which has been found in the toxicology results of 40% of people who have used an overdose of illicit drugs, is also increasingly present in recent months.
It is also a non-opioid sedative that does not respond to naloxone.
In a press release Thursday that included the data, Chief Forensic Officer Lisa Lapointe said her team is observing the “volatility and inconsistency” of the drug supply on the street.
“The reality is that every time someone uses drugs bought on the unregulated market, their life is in danger,” he said.
“Until a more secure and regulated supply is widely available, I encourage those who use drugs to use only in the presence of someone who can provide help or seek medical attention if necessary.”
BC’s mental health and addictions minister said in her response to the monthly report that her “heart aches” for the dead and that almost everyone in the province has been affected or knows someone who has.
“People at the forefront are making heroic efforts to save lives. However, tragically, we continue to lose lives on historic levels due to the increasingly toxic supply of drugs.”
He promoted the province’s move toward decriminalization as a critical step in BC’s response to the crisis.