Prince George had most overdose deaths of Northern Health Authority in first quarter of 2019

The numbers are still sobering. 

In the first quarter of 2019 (Jan. 1 to March 31), there were a total of 268 illicit overdose deaths in B.C.

The numbers in the Northern Health Authority during the first three months of this year were relatively low at 15. 

Prince George had six of them. 

In the northern interior region, there were eight total deaths, taking place in Vanderhoof, Quesnel, Prince George, Mackenzie, Isle Pierre, Fort St. James and Burns Lake. 

The northeast saw five in the first quarter this year while the northwest saw two. 

During all of 2018, there were a total of 47 illicit drug deaths in Prince George. 

The monthly average province-wide per month to date is 89 which is a 32 per cent drop from the same time period in 2018, which was an average of 135 per month. 

Carfentanil was also found in over one-quarter of fentanyl detected deaths in the first quarter (64 out of 227). 

Fentanyl was detected in roughly 85 per cent of illicit drug overdose deaths to date this year. In 2018, it was 87 per cent.

Vancouver had the highest amount of illicit drug overdoses in the first quarter of this year with 72. Surrey came in after with a total of 33. 

The BC Coroner's Service adds these numbers are preliminary and could change depending on the results of current investigations.