Date
From the Illicit Drug Toxicity Deaths in BC (January 1, 2012 - September 30, 2022) report.
BC Summary:
- The rate of illicit drug toxicity deaths in BC is 41.8 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2022
- In September 2022, there were 171 suspected illicit drug toxicity death represents a 8% increase from the number of deaths in September 2021 (159) and about the same number of deaths occurring in August 2022 (169).
- The number of illicit drug toxicity deaths in September 2022 equates to about 5.7 deaths per day.
- By Health Authority (HA), in 2022, the highest rates were in Northern Health (55 deaths per 100,000 individuals) and Vancouver Coastal Health (48 deaths per 100,000 individuals).
Trends
- Illicit drug toxicity death rates among all age groups 19+ and 60+ years have increased this month
- The proportion of deaths that are 50+ years of age has steadily increased year after year for the past 6 years. In 2022, 38% of decedents were at least 50 years old
- Illicit drug rates in Vancouver Coastal, Island, and Northern health authorities have increased this month
- The detection rate of benzodiazepines has rapidly increased from 15% of samples in July 2020 to 52% of samples in Jan 2022. It has since decreased to 22% in August 2022.
- Between August 2020 and September 2022, etizolam was found in 38% of illicit drug toxicity deaths that have undergone expedited toxicological testing. Etizolam is a benzodiazepine analogue and non-opioid sedative that does not respond to naloxone and creates life-saving challenges for first responders.
Northern Health Summary
- In 2022, NH has the highest rate of illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province with a rate of 54.9 deaths per 100,000 individuals (N=126).
- Illicit drug rates in Northern Health have increased this month
- In September 2022, there was approximately an 31% increase in the rate of illicit drug toxicity deaths compared to the previous month; ~65 deaths per 100,000 individuals (N=17) in September 2022 compared to ~49 deaths per 100,000 individuals (N=13) in August 2022
- NW has seen 38 illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2022 for a rate of 65.0 deaths per 100,000 individuals. This is the second highest rate in BC.
- September 2022 there was 5 illicit drug toxicity death
- Jan – August 2022
- Terrace LHA 101.2 illicit drug toxicity deaths per 100,000 individuals – third highest in BC
- Upper Skeena LHA 65.2 illicit drug toxicity deaths per 100,000 individuals – twelfth highest in BC
- NI has seen 70 illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2022 for a rate of 60.3 deaths per 100,000 individuals. This is the second highest rate in BC
- September 2022 there were 10 illicit drug toxicity deaths
- Jan – August 2022
- Prince George LHA 67.2 illicit drug toxicity deaths per 100,000 individuals – eleventh highest in BC
- NE has seen 18 illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2022 for a rate of 32.8 deaths per 100,000 individuals. This is the sixth lowest rate in BC.
- September 2022 there were 2 illicit drug toxicity deaths
- Jan – August 2022
- Peace River South LHA 36.6 illicit drug toxicity deaths per 100,000 individuals – 35th highest in BC