Thirty-four people died of illicit drug toxicity deaths in New Westminster in the first 10 months of 2021.
A Dec. 9 report from the BC Coroners Service states there were 201 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in British Columbia in October 2021. That’s the largest number of suspected deaths ever recorded in B.C. in a single month.
"Today is a heart-rending milestone for our province," Lisa Lapointe, B.C.'s chief coroner, said in a news release. "The deaths of more than 200 of our community members in one month due to toxic drugs is a devastating loss.”
According to the BC Coroners Service, October is the first month in which 200 lives were lost to illicit drugs in B.C. The 1,782 lives lost between January and October represents the highest number of deaths due to drug toxicity ever recorded in the province in a calendar year.
In New Westminster, 34 illicit drug deaths were recorded between January and October. That’s an increase from the 33 deaths reported between January and September.
In 2020, 35 people died of illicit drug deaths in New Westminster. A record of 37 illicit drug deaths occurred in New Westminster in 2018.
"This is a health crisis," Lapointe said. "I cannot stress enough how urgent this emergency has become. A comprehensive plan to ensure access to safe supply for the thousands of B.C. residents dependent on these substances is essential. Shifting from a punishment and stigmatizing regime to a decriminalized, health-focused model is also a critical step to reduce suffering and save lives."
Here is some other data contained in the BC Coroners Service’s latest report:
* Illicit drug toxicity deaths in B.C. rank second only to cancer in terms of years of life lost.
* The number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in October 2021 equates to about 6.5 deaths per day.
* In 2021, 71% of people dying were aged 30 to 59, and 79% were male.
* The communities experiencing the highest number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2021 are Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria.
* In 2021, 83% of illicit drug toxicity deaths occurred inside (55% in private residences and 28% in other residences including social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters, and hotels and other indoor locations); 15% occurred outside in vehicles, sidewalks, streets, parks, etc.
* No deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites
A health contact centre that opened in downtown New Westminster in April provides a variety of services, including drug testing, harm reduction supplies, take-home naloxone kits, training on naloxone, education on safer drug use and referral to treatment centres and health services.
The facility, located at 40 Begbie St., also includes safe witnessing services, so people can use drugs in a supervised setting to prevent overdose deaths.
Sheila Malcolmson, B.C.’s minister of mental health and addictions, said illicit fentanyl was present in 5% of the illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2021, but it’s been detected in 85% of this year’s drug toxicity deaths, which is a staggering increase.
"Please do not use alone,” she said in a news release. “Download the Lifeguard app, buddy up, get your drugs checked, start with a small amount and go slowly. Please also keep naloxone close. Find an overdose prevention or safe consumption site near you. They save lives.”
For more information about ways to stay safer, visit stopoverdose.gov.bc.ca. British Columbians can also call 1-800-663-1441 for alcohol and drug information and referral.
