Island Health have released an Overdose Advisory after a spike in the number of overdoses and deaths in the region. (Rawpixel)

By Alex Rawnsley

OVERDOSE ADVISORY

Increase in overdose deaths triggers alert from Island Health

Jul 30, 2019 | 9:32 AM

NANAIMO — A spike in the number of recent overdose deaths in Nanaimo and Parksville has forced a response from Island Health.

Medical Health Officer Dr. Shannon Waters told NanaimoNewsNOW the advisory was posted after consulting with local emergency departments, BC ambulance crews and the Coroner’s office and discovering a worrying trend.

“We received information on Monday we had an increase in fatal overdoses in the Nanaimo and Parksville regions that were higher than background levels.”

Overdose advisories are not only related to deaths but also reactions which are different from normal. Waters said health officials are alerted if atypical responses to drugs are observed.

The frequency of such advisories are dependant on a number of factors, including the drug supply.

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Despite this warning, Waters said she and others are seeing positive developments in the overall trend of overdose-related deaths.

“There is some stabilization and what looks like the beginning of a decrease in the number of overdose deaths for the first time since this crisis was declared.”

Waters attributed the positive news to increased public education and facilities such as overdose prevention centres.

The centre located in Nanaimo was visited over 23,000 times since opening and has not recorded a single fatality.

“People can get respiratory depression very quickly, so there’s really not very much time to react,” Waters said.

“People should not use alone, always carry Naloxone and we really encourage people to go to the overdose prevention site. These types of deaths are completely preventable if someone is around.”

The advisory will remain in place for a week before being reviewed and either extended or removed.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley