If the current data from the B.C. Coroners Service showing illicit drug deaths for 2019 remain the same, the year will end with a massive decrease compared to a year ago in both Prince George and the province.
In new statistics released today (Dec. 5), Prince George has currently recorded 22 overdose deaths between January and October this year.
Last year, in comparison, the northern capital recorded a total of 48.
In B.C., the numbers currently show 68 deaths for the same time period and during October 2018, there were 118 deaths, making for a 42 per cent drop in illicit overdose deaths.
September 2019 also saw a massive decline in deaths.
The B.C. Coroners Service says there were 57 this year compared to 135 in the same month of 2018, which is a whopping 58 per cent decrease.
“While Coroners Service data shows that the number of fatalities related to illicit drug toxicity has decreased this year, we know from our partners in health care that the number of non-fatal drug toxicity events remains high,” said Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe.
“The drug supply in our province is unpredictable and perilous, and the long-term impacts of drug toxicity can be severe. [...] The decrease in the number of fatalities is a promising trend, but we need to continue to keep our focus on this crisis of unsafe supply and continue to explore meaningful measures to reduce the risks for all British Columbians.”
September and October accounted for roughly 2.1 deaths per day, 90 per cent of which were men.
Northern Health has also seen a large drop from January to October this year. So far, the authority has recorded 57 deaths compared to 96 in all of 2018.
But it is the second-highest in B.C. when it comes to illicit drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people, sitting at 23.
The highest came in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority where it sits at 24 deaths per 100,000 individuals.
Last year, Northern Health finished with 32.6 deaths per 100,000 persons.
The northern interior region also has seen a steep decline, recording 59 deaths in 2018 compared to 30 this year.
In 2018, there were 1,542 illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C.; in 2019 thus far (January to October 2019), the number stands at 823.
