The number of illicit drug deaths in Nanaimo has reached the lowest number since the crisis began. (File photo/The Canadian Press)

By Spencer Sterritt

overdose crisis

Fatal overdose numbers steadily decline in Nanaimo

Feb 24, 2020 | 12:31 PM

NANAIMO — The number of illicit substance overdoses in Nanaimo was cut by more than half since the height of the crisis.

Twenty-two people lost their lives in 2019, down from 56 in 2017. It’s nearly down to the number of overdoses seen in 2015 in Nanaimo, which was the first year of the fentanyl and overdose crisis.

Medical health officer Dr. Shannon Waters told NanaimoNewsNOW they’re “obviously happy” to see the numbers dwindle due to awareness of naloxone kits and overdose prevention sites, but it doesn’t mean service providers can get comfortable.

She said the consistently high number of fatal overdoses happening in isolation shows the stigma about substance use disorders is a key underlying factor.

“This is not something in someone else’s backyard. It’s not something we can say is only an issue for ‘those people.’ It’s something we’re all affected by.”

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Waters said campaigns highlighting how substance use disorders and mental health issues can affect anyone and everyone are a great way to open people’s eyes.

“The more we have open conversations about it, the more people who into the situation of using a substance can reach out and not be ashamed.”

More conversations about the impacts of overdoses is also needed.

“We don’t really have a good picture of the numbers yet for the amount of injuries, specifically brain injuries, which might be happening when someone is without oxygen to the brain for an extended period when someone might have overdosed,” Waters said.

With the recent decline in fatalities, Nanaimo has dropped from the fifth to the eighth most affected B.C. community.

No one has passed away while visiting the overdose prevention site in downtown Nanaimo.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit