Health officials concerned about overdose future
NANAIMO — After a surge of overdose-related fatalities in Nanaimo, health officials are bracing themselves for a tragic new norm and looking at fresh alternatives.
According to new statistics from the B.C. Coroners Service, Nanaimo saw 29 overdoses in 2016, 155 for Vancouver Island and a total of 914 people succumbed to drug use in B.C. throughout the year.
Dr. Paul Hasselback, the medical health officer for Central Vancouver Island, said November and December were their highest recorded months for overdoses, with six deaths. He said he and other health workers were discouraged by the rise given everything they’ve done to try and combat the health crisis.
“Everyone needs to band together, right from starting in schools educating students about making good choices, to early prevention with young adults who are experimenting, right through to working closely with the using community,” he said.