New Westminster MLA Judy Darcy is appealing to people to take steps to ensure they’re safe if they’re using illicit drugs.
Newly released statistics from the provincial government show that the 170 deaths in May from illicit drug toxicity surpass the previous high of 161 that was reported in December 2016. British Columbia has now recorded three consecutive months with more than 100 illicit drug toxicity deaths.
"Last month, a staggering 170 people lost their lives because of an illegal drug supply that's more toxic and poisoned than ever. This is truly devastating to all of us,” Darcy, the province’s minister of mental health and addictions, said in a press release. “The impact of this tremendous loss is felt in communities and families in every corner of our province and in deeply profound ways. Each person was a light to the people in their world and now that light has tragically gone out. We mourn with each and every family of those we have lost to this terrible crisis.”
According to a press release from the provincial government, so far in 2020 there have been more than 550 illicit drug deaths in British Columbia.
“In 2020, 85% of illicit drug toxicity deaths occurred inside and 13% occurred outside,” said the press release. “No deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites.”
The province’s statistics indicate that 70% of those who have died in 2020 were aged 19 to 49, with males accounting for 80% of deaths this year to date.
"Today, I am appealing to anyone who is reading this message. If you use illicit drugs, those drugs are incredibly toxic and even more poisoned than before. I am asking each of you to have a plan. Buddy up so you're not using poisoned drugs alone,” said Darcy, the province’s minister of mental health and addictions. “Use the Lifeguard app – it will signal for help if you need it. Continue to visit OPS and supervised consumption services sites. They are open and are essential services in B.C.”
According to the province, the 170 illicit drug toxicity deaths represents a 93% increase over the number of deaths in May 2019 (88) and a 44% increase over the number of deaths in April 2020 (118). In April and May 2020, approximately 19% of cases had extreme fentanyl concentrations (exceeding 50ug/L) as compared to 9% between January 2019 and March 2020.
"I am deeply grateful to each and every person who puts their blood, sweat and tears into helping and caring for people at risk of overdose,” Darcy said. “This has been a long and painful road. I know how unbearable these losses are for you and I am immensely grateful for your heroic efforts under very challenging circumstances.”
While there was much to do before COVID-19, Darcy said the province was heading in the right direction and the overdose death rate was declining in B.C. She said increased distribution of naloxone and increased access to overdose prevention services and treatment showed that B.C. had averted more than 6,000 deaths since the crisis began.
"We are continuing to redouble our efforts, but we need all British Columbians to join us to protect our loved ones at risk of overdose,” she said. “When it comes to COVID-19, we've seen what a difference that each of us has made, coming together to do our part. Now, more than ever, as we face two unprecedented public health emergencies, we must harness our collective efforts, our compassion and resolve, so that families don't have to keep suffering unimaginable and preventable losses.”
In April 2016, the province declared a public health emergency under the Public Health Act, in response to the increase in opioid-related deaths in B.C.
"Let's talk about how to stay safe. Let's look out for one another. Let's take care of each other,” Darcy said in a statement issued June 11. Let's come together as a province to save lives from overdose."
