The number of fatal overdoses in B.C. and Nanaimo have risen sharply as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

By Spencer Sterritt

ongoing crisis

Fatal overdoses in Nanaimo rise by half in one month

Jul 16, 2020 | 12:18 PM

NANAIMO — A staggering increase of fatal overdoses in Nanaimo were recorded in June.

Data from the BC Coroner’s Service published on Thursday, July 16 showed seven people died due to illicit substances, increasing the number of fatalities from 13 to 20.

It accounts for a roughly 55 per cent increase in the total number of fatalities seen in Nanaimo so far in 2020.

Four people passed away the month before, during what was at the time the most fatal month of overdoses ever recorded on Vancouver Island.

Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner with BC Coroners Service, said this is a dangerous and fear-inducing trend.

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“For the second month in a row, this province has experienced the highest number of deaths ever as a result of illicit substances with 175 lives lost, leaving behind grief and frustration while this public health emergency carries on into its fifth year,” she said in a release.

“We know the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people who use drugs, as it has all British Columbians. Access to key harm reduction services has been a challenge and our social networks are smaller.

Across B.C., the number of deaths per 100,000 has nearly reached the highs of 2017 and 2018, which were considered the peak of the overdose crisis.

A total of 27 people passed away in Nanaimo in all of 2019, a number which is expected to be quickly surpassed.

The Nanaimo area is currently under an overdose advisory, which was specifically issued after Nanaimo was covered under a much broader advisory for all of Vancouver Island.

The advisory was also issued for Cowichan and Victoria.

Victoria is the third most affected B.C. city. Nanaimo is seventh.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said roughly 66 per cent of fatalities happened inside the home of the user.

“We know from conversations with family and friends most did not know the person was using drugs. Many of them died alone.”

The number of overdose fatalities in one month is slightly less than the number of B.C. residents who passed away from COVID-19.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt