The rate of deaths from illegal toxic substances in the Okanagan is up this year, but down slightly in the Thompson-Cariboo. The latest statistics released by the BC Coroner’s Office confirm that 171 people died from toxic drugs in BC. September’s total is about the same as August (169) and equates to about 5.7 deaths per day. So far in 2022, 1,644 lives have been lost to toxic drugs, the most ever recorded in the first nine months of a calendar year. “Both casual drug users and substance dependents are at risk of sudden death from the unpredictable illicit market. People who have been abstinent for a period of time or who regularly use stimulants are at increased risk. Their tolerance to opioids is low and the prevalence of fentanyl in illicit supply is high,” said Lisa Lapointe, Chief Medical Examiner. Thirty-three of those who died in September were in the Internal Health zone. That’s up from 30 in the same month last year. The rate per 100,000 population in the Okanagan rises to 46.2 from 42.7 in 2021, while in Thompson-Cariboo it has fallen to 60.1 from 61.5. The overall rate for Internal Health remains unchanged at 45.7 deaths per 100,000 population, which is the third highest after the health authorities of the North and Vancouver. There have been 64 deaths in Kelowna this year, 66 in Kamloops, 24 in Penticton and 30 in Vernon. Merritt is a hotspot with the fifth highest per capita rate for a local health district by local health, after Lillooet, Cowichan Valley West, Terrace and Alberni/Clayoquot. People between the ages of 30 and 59 were the most likely victims. 79% were men. Death rates from illicit drug toxicity among 19-39 and 60+ year olds rose in September. No deaths have been reported in supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites. Analysis of post-mortem toxicology results shows no evidence that safe prescription supply contributes to illicit substance deaths at the regional or provincial level. The detection rate of benzodiazepines increased rapidly from 15% of samples in July 2020 to 52% of samples in January 2022. It has since decreased to 22% in August 2022. Benzodiazepines are dangerous because they do not react to naloxone, the drug that used to reverse overdose. Lapointe is again urging the province to expand access to a safe drug supply. “It is critical that a safer option is available to the tens of thousands of people in our province who are at risk of serious harm or death.” Sheila Malcolmson, Minister for Mental Health and Addictions, points out that since 2020 more than 14,000 people have access to a safer prescription supply. He also notes that the government has opened hundreds of treatment beds and services to help build a mental health and addiction care system. “While progress has been made in building a care system, the supply of illegal drugs is deadlier than ever, and we know we must do more. We will not stop working until all British Columbians can get the help they need when they need it,” adds Malcolmson.
