More people in New Westminster died of unregulated drugs in the first 10 months of 2023 than in all of 2022.
The BC Coroners Service recently released its monthly update about lives lost to unregulated drugs, which included data up until Oct. 31. Preliminary data indicates there have been 34 deaths in New West in 2023, compared to 32 in all of 2022.
In its Nov. 30 report, the coroners service reported that preliminary data shows at least 2,039 lives in B.C. have been lost to unregulated drugs in the first 10 months of 2023. The 189 lives lost in October equates to about 6.1 people per day.
“Toxicological testing confirms that the unregulated drug supply in the province remains dangerous and volatile,” said the report “Illicit fentanyl and its analogues are present in 85 per cent of expedited test results, often in combination with other opioids and/or stimulants, including cocaine and methamphetamine.” The BC Coroners Service stated it was continuing to monitor closely for the presence of prescribed safer-supply medications in its testing, with hydromorphone detected in approximately four per cent of tests.
The coroners service noted that earlier in November 2023, Interior Health had issued a drug advisory warning people who use drugs that some substances being advertised as hydromorphone on the black market actually contain isotonitazine, a drug as dangerously potent as fentanyl. It stated the only way to be certain about the substances contained in a product that is purchased illicitly is through a drug-checking service.
Although the BC Coroners Service hasn’t historically provided a monthly drug update in December – “in recognition of how difficult the holiday season is for those who have lost loved ones” – it issued an update on Dec. 13. In response to increasing deaths from unregulated drugs, it issued a public safety warning to anyone using substances purchased from the illicit market.
According to Wednesday’s update, the number of deaths due to drug toxicity has increased above earlier indications.
“It is important, however, to ensure that people are aware of the continuing risks related to the unregulated drug market and of recent increases in deaths reported,” said a Dec. 13 news release from the BC Corners Services. “While data is still under review, preliminary indications suggest unregulated drug toxicity has caused more than 200 deaths in November 2023, and that the province has averaged about seven deaths per day for the past seven weeks.”
The BC Coroners Service states that unregulated drug deaths in the winter months have historically increased over the numbers reported during the rest of the year, so this early increase could be a sign of another challenging season for people who use drugs in B.C.
“Please do not use drugs alone,” said the news release. “It is critically important that people take advantage of every available support to keep themselves safe.”
The BC Coroners Services urges people to:
- Access local safe consumption sites and/or overdose prevention sites, and/or drug checking services where available.
- Avoid using drugs alone and only use them in the presence of someone who will be able to provide naloxone and/or first aid and call 911.
“Recent reports of counterfeit hydromorphone tablets in Interior Health make clear that even substances presumed to be safe carry significant risk,” noted the update. “The only way to be certain about the substances contained in a product that is purchased illicitly is by having it tested by an approved service.”
In New Westminster, the health contact centre provides safe consumption, drug checking, harm reduction supple, naloxone and other services. Located at 40 Begbie St. (entrance is behind the building on Alexander Street), it’s open seven days a week from 3:30 to 10 p.m.
According to the coroners service, unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death in British Columbia for people aged 10 to 59, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined. The lives of at least 13,317 British Columbians have been lost to unregulated drugs since the public health emergency was first declared in April 2016.
