Fraser Valley – Despite fewer illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province in 2019, the BC Coroners Service continues to urge caution due to an unpredictable, toxic, illicit drug supply that exists.
The BC Coroners Service reports that there were 69 suspected drug toxicity deaths in October 2019, a 42% decrease over the number of deaths that occurred in October 2018 (118), and a 21% decrease over the number of deaths that occurred in September 2019 (57). The 57 suspected drug toxicity deaths in September 2019 represent a 58% decrease over the number of deaths that occurred in September 2018 (135) and a 31% decrease over the number of deaths that occurred in August 2019 (83).
With the Fraser Valley – Abbotsford deaths are consistent with the previous two years. Chilliwack has slowed down since 2018 but will match if not exceed 2017’s deadly numbers. Hope remains a concern.
The provincial average is 2.1 daily deaths.
By local health area, the rates of illicit drug toxicity deaths are highest in Princeton, Grand Forks, Keremeos, Vancouver, and Hope from 2017 to 2019.
In 2019, 86% of illicit drug toxicity deaths occurred inside (57% in private residences and29% in other residences including social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters, and hotelsand other indoor locations) and 12% occurred outside in vehicles, sidewalks, streets, parks, etc.
In Vancouver Coastal, other residences (48%) were the most common place of illicit drug toxicity deaths followed by private residences (37%) between 2017 and 2019.
No deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites.
- The number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in October and September 2019 equates to about 2.1 deaths per day for the two months.
- In 2019, 71% of those dying were aged 30-59. Individuals aged 19-59 have accounted for 89% of illicit drug toxicity deaths.
- Males have accounted for about nine out of every 10 illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2019.
- Vancouver (210), Surrey (105), Victoria (48) and Abbotsford (39) are experiencing the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2019. The four communities account for almost half the illicit drug toxicity deaths in B.C. this year.
- Princeton, Grand Forks and Keremeos continue to report the highest rates of illicit drug toxicity deaths, with more than 50 deaths per 100,000 people in the 2017-19 period.
- Survival from an overdose event can still lead to long-term adverse health impacts as a result of brain injury due to a lack of oxygen.
