There was a 58 per cent increase in overdose deaths in B.C. in comparison with the last month surveyed.
The BC Coroners Service counts 161 suspected illicit drug overdose deaths provincewide in March.
In February, 102 people were suspected to have died from the same cause.’
When compared with March 2017, the latest figure represents a 24 per cent increase.
For this year, there have been five deaths where fentanyl has been detected in the North Shore/Coast Garibaldi area. Squamish is part of this region.
“Preliminary data indicate that through the first three months of 2018, fentanyl was detected in post-mortem testing in more than eight in every 10 deaths, [which amounts to about 83 per cent],” said the service in a news release.
“Seven in every 10 of those who died were aged 19 to 49 years.”
The service also said that through the first three months of 2018, there have been 391 suspected illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C., on par with the 400 reported through the first three months of 2017.
The vast majority — 90. 5 per cent, to be exact — died indoors. No deaths have been reported at supervised consumption sites, or drug overdose prevention sites.
More than 1,400 British Columbians died due to suspected illicit drug overdoses in 2017.
