New data released by the BC Coroners’ Service shows a downward trend in illicit drug overdoses over the first quarter of 2019.
British Columbia saw 395 deaths related to illicit drug overdoses through March of 2018, but just 268 over the same time period this year.
That represents a drop of over 30 percent, and the province’s lowest first quarter tally since 2016.
Northern Health had the least amount of overdose deaths of any health authority, with 15 through March, with just 2 in the northwest.
Of the province’s 16 health service delivery areas, the northwest saw the 4th lowest overdose rate per 100 thousand residents at 11.1 percent.
Fentanyl remained the number one contributor to overdose deaths, detected in over 80 percent of first quarter deaths.
