The number of people dying of illicit drug overdoses is on pace to rise in the Tri-Cities with fentanyl detected in an increasing number of cases, according to B.C. Coroners Service statistics.
Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody has seen 10 overdose deaths so far in 2016, putting the area on pace to surpass the 14 deaths that occurred in all of last year. Fentanyl was detected in six of the 10 cases, which is higher than the five cases in all of 2015.
"In light of these numbers and the high risk posed by fentanyl, those using illicit drugs are urged to exercise extreme caution," said the B.C. Coroners Service in a statement accompanying the new data. "Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe stresses the critical importance of calling 911 immediately if someone appears to be overdosing as rapid intervention, including the use of naloxone… can prevent an overdose from becoming fatal."
Naloxone, which can be administered by professionals or in take-home kits, was credited with resuscitating five people who were found unresponsive after ingesting cocaine, marijuana and alcohol at a Coquitlam home Sunday night. While investigators were unable to determine whether fentanyl was present in the drugs, they said the situation could have been much worse had there been any delay in calling 911.
The coroners statistics for the Tri-Cities match what is being seen in the rest of the province.
In the first half of 2016, 371 people in B.C. died as a result of an illicit drug overdose, a 74% increase from the same period in 2015.
Fentanyl was detected in about 60% of the deaths for which testing has been performed, up from a 31% detection rate for the powerful opioid in 2015.
DEATHS NO LONGER CONCENTRATED IN THE LOWER MAINLAND
And the coroners says fentanyl-linked deaths that were in past years mainly concentrated in the Lower Mainland are now regularly happening throughout B.C.
On Vancouver Island and in the southern Interior, more deaths tied to fentanyl have been detected so far in 2016 than in all of 2015.
Cities with 10 or more fentanyl-related deaths so far this year include Vancouver (29), Surrey (22), Victoria (19), Nanaimo (13), Kelowna (12) and Maple Ridge (10).
The largest numbers of total illicit drug deaths for the first six months of 2016 have been recorded in Vancouver (69), Surrey (44), Victoria (29), Kamloops (22), Kelowna (19), Abbotsford(16) and Nanaimo and Maple Ridge, both with 15.
The Fraser health region accounted for 114 deaths or 30% of the provincial total.
Drug deaths were declared a public health emergency in B.C. in April, and anxiety has grown with the arrival of emerging street drugs like W-18, which is considered much riskier even than fentanyl.
gmckenna@tricitynews.com
@gmckennaTC
-with files from Jeff Nagel
