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Prince George sees two more illicit overdose deaths in June

More than 1,000 British Columbians lost to toxic drugs in 2021
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Drug toxicity is now the leading cause of death in B.C. for those aged 19 to 39 and is second in terms of reducing total potential years of life.

Prince George was home to two more deaths by illicit drugs in June, according to numbers issued by the B.C. Coroner’s Service on International Overdose Awareness Day.

The count raises the year-to-date total to 24, following six deaths recorded in May.

Northern Health also recorded six fatalities in June following nine deaths recorded the previous month. However, the authority now has the second-highest death rate in the province at 45 per 100,000, as Vancouver Coastal Health has slightly surpassed Northern Health with 46 deaths per 100,000 individuals.

Overall, the rate in B.C. is 39 deaths per 100,000.

Province-wide, 159 British Columbians died in June as a result of drug toxicity, the ninth consecutive month in which at least 150 British Columbians died as a result of the toxic drug supply.

Drug toxicity is now the leading cause of death in B.C. for those aged 19 to 39 and is second in terms of reducing total potential years of life.

Between January and June, at least 1,011 lives were lost to suspected illicit drug toxicity in B.C.

"The deaths of more than 1,000 British Columbians in the first six months of 2021 is a tragic reminder that the toxic illicit drug supply remains a significant ongoing threat to public health and safety in communities throughout our province," said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner, BC Coroners Service.

"The data released today highlights the immensity of this public health emergency and the need for a wide-scale response. This includes removing barriers to safe supply, ensuring timely access to evidence-based affordable treatment and providing those experiencing problematic substance use with compassionate and viable options to reduce risks and save lives."

As with previous months, the illicit drug supply in B.C. is both variable and increasingly toxic, with extreme fentanyl concentrations and carfentanil showing up more frequently in toxicology testing. Post-mortem testing shows that fentanyl continues to be the substance involved in most drug-toxicity deaths – 85 per cent in the first six months of 2021.

Cocaine, methamphetamine and etizolam are also present in significant numbers of deaths. B.C. Coroners Service says data confirms, as it has throughout this public health emergency, that illicit substances are driving this health crisis and that prescribed safe supply is not playing a role in the ongoing drug-toxicity crisis.

"Today is International Overdose Awareness Day; a day in which we remember and mourn the family members, friends and neighbours we've lost to drug toxicity," Lapointe said.

"To the thousands of B.C. families grieving the loss of a beloved family member, I extend my heartfelt condolences and my hope that the stories you've shared will continue to influence positive change. Those who died mattered and their loss is felt deeply, and we must continue to urge those in positions of influence across our province and the country to move to urgently implement measures to prevent more unnecessary suffering and death."

An evening of remembrance is planned to mark International Overdose Day tonight taking Place tonight at Mr. PG beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The event is hosted by Hospice Hearts, Moms Stop the Harm Prince George, Positive Living North, Prince George Community Action Team, and The POUNDS Project.

The event is family-friendly and will have Take Home Naloxone (Narcan) training, craft stations for memorial ribbons and hearts, speakers, presenters, and will end with a candlelight vigil.