Prince George paramedics responded to 1,305 overdose calls in 2021, according to year-end BC Emergency Health Services data.
In 2021, medical emergency call takers and paramedics responded to 35,525 overdoses in the province, up 31 per cent over the previous year.
Every health region across the province saw an increase in overdose calls in 2021. However, Northern Health, which had a dramatic increase in overdose calls in 2020, had the least this year in terms of increases.
The Northern Health Authority showed a 16 per cent increase, which is not only the smallest among health authorities but about half the provincial average.
BCEHS says this means Prince George, which is usually in the top-five communities for overdose calls, dropped off the top-five list and was replaced by Abbotsford.
Overdose numbers broken down by health region, with percentage increase over the previous year:
- Vancouver Coastal: 11,204 (+24%)
- Fraser Health: 10,573 (+45%)
- Island Health: 5,917 (+32%)
- Interior Health: 5,417 (+29%)
- Northern Health: 2,414 (+16%)
Almost every community in B.C. had more overdose patients in 2021 than the previous year.
A few communities stand out for being above the provincial average and for showing a significant increase in overdoses – and a few others are noteworthy for bucking the trend provincially and recording fewer overdoses in 2021.
- Courtenay: 127 per cent increase; Total Overdoses 2021: 467
- Cranbrook: 84 per cent increase; Total Overdoses 2021: 191
- Mission: 82 per cent increase; Total Overdoses 2021: 397
- Fort St. John: 22 per cent decrease, Total Overdoses 2021: 97
- Quesnel: 25 per cent decrease, Total Overdoses 2021: 157
BCEHS paramedics responded to an average of 97 overdose calls per day in B.C. during 2021 and has been reporting out the numbers since the overdose crisis was declared in 2016.
