Island Health issued an overdose advisory for the Nanaimo area on Aug. 5 after an increase in overdoses from opioids and stimulants. (Picist)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

OVERDOSE ADVISORY

Overdose advisory issued for Nanaimo related to opioid and stimulant use

Aug 5, 2020 | 2:03 PM

NANAIMO — Vancouver Island’s battle with a toxic drug supply is continuing.

Island Health issued an overdose advisory for Nanaimo on Wednesday, Aug. 5, warning of an increased number of overdoses in the mid island region.

The notice said recent overdoses have been linked to opioid and stimulant use with an increased risk of smoking.

An Island Health statement said the rise in local overdoses is “likely linked to the increasingly toxic drug supply due to the closure of international borders, as well as an increase in people using alone.”

The advisory continues a trend of rising overdoses, including a record number of fatalities through 2020 so far.

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June 2020 set a new benchmark for the number of people who lost their lives to overdose, with seven deaths recorded in Nanaimo in one month.

As of June 30, 2020, 20 people had lost their lives locally to drug overdose, compared to 27 in all of 2019.

Number for July are expected in the coming days from the BC Coroners Service.

Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner said in July, the COVID-19 pandemic has had tragic consequences for the opioid crisis.

“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.”

New Island Health medical health officer Dr. Mike Benusic also said advice to deal with COVID-19 can come at the expense of the overdose crisis.

“(The rise in overdose deaths) correlates with us telling everyone to stay home and stay away from other people and we know when it comes to overdoses, that’s the last thing that people should be doing,” Benusic said.

Nanaimo was under an overdose advisory for sections of May and June under a broader advisory in place for Vancouver Island.

Those using drugs are encouraged to practice strategies for safer use including carrying Naloxone, testing your supply before a regular hit and visiting Nanaimo’s overdose prevention site on Wesley St.

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