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FENTANYL PANDEMIC: Overdose Deaths Hit Sky High In The Age Of Corona

August 25, 2020

The BC Coroners Service reported 175 deaths related to illicit drug toxicity and fentanyl-detected drug deaths to the end of July 2020. This is the third consecutive month with more than 170 suspected illicit drug deaths reported to the BC Coroners Service.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VICTORIA – While BC has not had a great number of COVID-19 related deaths but the overdose from fentanyl-related deaths have hit record breaking numbers during the pandemic.

"The number of people dying in B.C. due to an unsafe drug supply continues to surpass deaths due to homicides, motor vehicle incidents, suicides and COVID-19 combined," said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner. "This health emergency continues to take a tragic toll on people from all walks of life and in all communities of the province. Access to key harm reduction services in the midst of a dual health emergency has been a challenge, and the extreme concentration of the illicit fentanyl being trafficked is resulting in deaths within moments of use.

"It is not uncommon for two or three people using together to die suddenly and with no opportunity to seek help. Given the high prevalence of fentanyl detected in all fatal overdoses, if you are using illicit substances - whether it be fentanyl, heroin, cocaine or methamphetamines - it is critical that you use only in the presence of someone willing and able to inject naloxone and call for emergency assistance.

"As the risks for those purchasing from the illicit market are extreme, we continue to encourage clinicians to support those at risk of overdose by prescribing safe supply. We also continue to advocate for an accessible, evidence-based and accountable treatment and recovery system for anyone experiencing problematic substance use who is seeking this medical assistance."

The illicit drug toxicity death total for July 2020 (175) represents a 136% increase over the number of deaths seen in July 2019 (74). The BC Coroners Service has detected a sustained increase of illicit drug toxicity deaths since March, and the province has now recorded five consecutive months with over 100 illicit drug toxicity deaths.

There have been 909 illicit drug deaths to date in 2020 in B.C., and the number of deaths in each health authority is at or near the highest monthly totals ever recorded. The number of non-fatal overdose incidents is also increasing, with a record high of more than 2,700 calls reported by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) in July.

"Paramedics are responding to and reviving overdose patients about 80 times a day, every single day in B.C.," said Jon Deakin, paramedic practice leader with BCEHS. "It's a lot. It's the highest number of daily overdoses BCEHS has ever seen."

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Judy Darcy, said she is disheartened by the continued lives lost from the illicit drug epidemic.

"COVID-19 measures continue to have devastating, unintended consequences for people who use substances. A heart-wrenching 175 people lost their lives in July due to an illegal drug supply that is more toxic than it has ever been in B.C. These were treasured friends, neighbours, partners, parents and children. The vast majority were men between the ages of 19 and 49. Some were fathers. They were people from all walks of life who cared deeply about their families and the people they loved,” Darcy said.

July total of 175 deaths from illicit drug toxicity matches the one reported in June. The June death total had surpassed the previous highs of 171, reported in May 2020, and 161 reported in December 2016.

Facts about illicit drug deaths in B.C.

* In June 2020, there were 175 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths, representing a 130% increase over the number of deaths in June 2019 (76).

* From April to June 2020, approximately 15% of cases with fentanyl detected had extreme fentanyl concentrations (exceeding 50 micrograms per litre) as compared to 8% between January 2019 and March 2020.

* A review of completed cases from 2016-19 indicates that the top-four detected drugs relevant to illicit drug toxicity deaths were fentanyl (83%), cocaine (50%), methamphetamine/amphetamine (34%) and heroin (15%).

* Vancouver Coastal Health Authority has the highest rate of illicit drug toxicity deaths (33 deaths per 100,000 individuals) followed by the Northern Health Authority (32 deaths per 100,000) in 2020. Overall, the rate in B.C. is 29 deaths per 100,000 in 2020.

* In the first six months of the year 2020, 70% of those dying were aged 19 to 49, males accounted for 80% of deaths, and 85% of illicit drug toxicity deaths occurred indoors.

* As reported on July 6 by the First Nations Health Authority, the toll of the illicit drug toxicity crisis on First Nations in B.C. is rising again in 2020, with a 93% increase in deaths among First Nations people in B.C. from January to May of this year, representing 89 deaths of First Nations individuals.

* First Nations people represent 3.4% of the province's population, yet accounted for 16% of all illicit drug deaths in B.C. from January to May 2020, a rate of more than five times higher than other B.C. residents.

* In May, the Provincial Health Services Authority launched its Lifeguard app to help prevent overdoses. The app is a made-in-B.C. resource to reduce risk for people who use substances.

* According to BC Emergency Health Services, paramedics respond to an average of 2,000 overdose calls per month in British Columbia. However, there has been a recent increase in overdose calls in May and June, with paramedics responding to more than 2,300 calls per month.