The number of drug poisoning deaths in the first half of 2022 is the highest ever recorded for that period of a calendar year, according to preliminary data released by the BC Medical Examiner’s Office on Tuesday. The toll also means more than 10,000 people have died as a result of toxic drugs in BC. since it was declared a public health emergency in April 2016. “These were men, women and young people from all walks of life. They lived in our neighborhoods, worked in our workplaces and played on our sports teams. Some lived ordinary lives, while others faced tremendous challenges,” wrote Coroner Lisa Lapointe. statement. “All of them fell victim to the deadly supply of illegal drugs that is ubiquitous.” The co-founder of Moms Stop the Harm said Tuesday that it is difficult to see the sheer number of deaths continue, month after month, more than six years into a public health emergency. After all that time, he said, it’s hard to hold the attention of the general public. “Every person that dies leaves behind just a trace of sadness. I just want people to understand that this tragedy, this dynamic that we’re going through, is centered on real people,” said Leslie McBain, who lost her son to a prescription drug . drug overdose in 2014. “Every month when those numbers come out … it’s kind of like, ‘Oh yeah, here comes the coroner’s report. There’s going to be a bunch of deaths.’ And I don’t blame people, it’s hard to stay focused on that. “It became something ordinary – not to me. Not to all our members at Moms Stop the Harm and to all the people who have lost a loved one.”
16 young people lost this year, the report says
Figures released on Tuesday said 146 people died in June, down from 197 in May – a drop of more than 26%. The number of deaths also fell by 17 percent from the same month last year. The figures showed that deaths across all age groups have fallen, although almost 75 per cent of those who died were between the ages of 30 and 59. Almost 80 percent of those who died were men. Sixteen of the people who died this year were under the age of 19. Another 140 were between the ages of 19 and 29, the report said. “It’s a huge and persistent issue that we see come up repeatedly — in fact, every day — in my office,” said Jennifer Charlesworth, spokesperson for BC Children and Youth. “The statistics are consistently alarming.” Charlesworth said some children survived poisoning from toxic drugs but suffered “questionable impact on their well-being” and permanent trauma. He said others end up in state care after losing parents or guardians as a result of drug supply. BC Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe is pictured in Victoria on April 14, 2021. (Mike McArthur/CBC) Lapointe has reiterated the need for safer drug delivery, as have many advocates, academics and health experts since the health emergency was declared in 2016. “We recognize drug use as a symptom and realize that punishment and stigma only cause further damage,” Lapoite said at a press conference on Tuesday. “Encouraging compassionate treatment and support is the only way to move British Columbians out of harm’s way and out of this public health crisis.” According to preliminary post-mortem toxicology tests, the illegal drug supply remains highly volatile. Fentanyl was found in increasingly higher concentrations, according to the medical examiner’s office. Etizolam was detected in 39 percent of rapid tests between July 2020 and June 2022. A benzodiazepine analog, etizolam is a powerful sedative whose effects cannot be reversed by naloxone, which causes first responders trying to save lives . The coroner noted that the death rate in the Northern Health region rose in June, despite a fall in every other health authority. Most people continue to die indoors, the report said. No deaths have been reported in supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites. There is no evidence that the safe prescription supply contributes to overdose deaths, he added. The coroner said 2,224 people died as a result of illegal drugs in 2021, making it the deadliest year on record. In the first half of 2022, 1,065 people lost their lives. LISTEN | The co-founder of Moms Stop The Harm talks about the need to humanize data: Early Edition9:17BC Coroner to reveal number of people who have died from toxic illegal drugs in past six months BC’s coroner will give an update today on the drug toxicity crisis in that province. We break down what to expect with someone speaking at the press conference. The co-founder of Moms Stop The Harm with us, for more.
