Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Illicit Drug Deaths Show Decline For First Half Of 2019

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Aug, 2019 07:54 PM

    VICTORIA – The BC Coroners Service has published updated reports on illicit drug toxicity deaths and fentanyl-detected drug deaths to the end of June 2019.


    Key preliminary findings of these drug death reports are below. Data are subject to change:


    In June 2019, there were 73 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths, a 35% decrease from the number of deaths in June 2018 (113), and a 15% decrease from the number of deaths occurring in May 2019 (86).


    There were approximately 2.4 illicit drug toxicity deaths per day in June 2019.


    For the first six months of 2019, there were 538 illicit drug toxicity deaths, a decrease of approximately 30% over the same six-month period in 2018 when 763 were reported.


    In 2019, 71% of those dying were aged 30 to 59 years. Individuals aged 19 to 59 years have accounted for 89% of all illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2019.


    Males accounted for 78% of all suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2019.


    By local health area, the rates of illicit drug toxicity deaths are highest in Princeton, Merritt, Vancouver (aggregate), Grand Forks and Hope (see Table 16 in report for details).


    Fentanyl was detected in more than four of every five illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2018 and 2019.


    After higher levels of carfentanil detection in the first four months of 2019, peaking at 32 deaths in March, there were decreases in the numbers of deaths with carfentanil detected in May (13) and June (four).


    No deaths have been reported at supervised consumption sites or drug overdose prevention sites.


    Here are some tips to help respond to overdoses, promote harm reduction and raise awareness about treatment options available:


    Always carry a naloxone kit, even if you do not use drugs. Call 911 if you see an overdose.


    If using drugs, have them checked if you can and never use alone. Use at a supervised consumption site or overdose prevention site if you can.


    If you think you might have a substance-use disorder, talk to your health provider about treatments that are available.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Man Accused Of Swimming Naked In Shark Tank Expected To Plead Guilty To Mischief

    TORONTO - A British Columbia man accused of swimming naked in a shark tank at a Toronto aquarium is expected to plead guilty to mischief in that incident next month.    

    Man Accused Of Swimming Naked In Shark Tank Expected To Plead Guilty To Mischief

    No Parole For More Than A Decade For Man Who Killed Winnipeg Bus Driver

    Irvine Jubal Fraser, 58, was at the end of his shift and route in February 2017, when he got into a fight with passenger Brian Kyle Thomas.

    No Parole For More Than A Decade For Man Who Killed Winnipeg Bus Driver

    B.C. Jail Added To Properties Under Alert As Southern Okanagan Wildfire Grows

    B.C. Jail Added To Properties Under Alert As Southern Okanagan Wildfire Grows
    A wildfire burning in steep and rocky terrain in British Columbia's southern Okanagan is defying containment efforts and has grown to nine square kilometres in size.    

    B.C. Jail Added To Properties Under Alert As Southern Okanagan Wildfire Grows

    Delta Police Officer Repeatedly Hit Across Face With Handcuffs During Arrest By Surrey Man

    A Surrey man is facing four charges after two Delta Police officers were injured – one suffering significant injuries to his head – during an incident that took place on the long weekend.  

    Delta Police Officer Repeatedly Hit Across Face With Handcuffs During Arrest By Surrey Man

    Abbotsford Police Issue Warning After A Report A Woman Was Assaulted In Her Backyard

    Abbotsford Police Issue Warning After A Report A Woman Was Assaulted In Her Backyard
    On August 6, 2019, shortly after midnight, a 42 year old female was assaulted in her back yard in the Clearbrook area, north of Highway 1 in Abbotsford.

    Abbotsford Police Issue Warning After A Report A Woman Was Assaulted In Her Backyard

    Two Men Arrested Following South Surrey Stabbing Tuesday

    Surrey RCMP is advising the public of a fight involving a weapon and the subsequent arrest of two individuals, that occurred this morning in South Surrey.

    Two Men Arrested Following South Surrey Stabbing Tuesday