Overdose deaths involving fentanyl are creeping up in Coquitlam, likely due to a toxic drug supply and possibly increased stress and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the latest figures released by the BC Coroners Service, there have been 17 fentanyl-related overdose deaths to the end of September in the city, up from 10 last year.
Although those numbers are far below what Vancouver has experienced, with 236 deaths, it suggests there are still concerns in the Tri-City area about an unsafe drug supply.
“This data has been compiled to better understand overall illicit drug toxicity death trends in British Columbia and to inform other agencies’ public safety strategies in a timely manner,” according to the BC Coroners report released Oct. 20.
Fraser Health Authority had the highest number (305) of illicit drug toxicity deaths with fentanyl detected in 2020, followed by Vancouver Coastal Health (267) and Island Health Authority (172). [3],[4]
Preliminary data for 2020 suggest that the proportion of apparent illicit drug toxicity deaths with fentanyl detected (alone or in combination with other drugs) is at least 80%, the report states.
In June, Fraser Health’s chief medical health officer Dr. Martin Lavoie said surging unemployment due to the pandemic has added stress that often leads to a rise in the consumption of illicit substances. Compounding the problem, shutdowns at the border have disrupted the flow of drugs, limiting supply and increasing toxicity.
Fraser Health has a web page dedicated to starting the conversation about overdose prevention. It is available here.
Recent figures to the end of September show Coquitlam has been in the same grip of an overdose epidemic as other cities, although the numbers are smaller — with fentanyl deaths creeping up from four in 2014 to a high of 24 in 2018, down to 10 in 2019, with 17 so far this year.
