The number of people who lost their lives in Nanaimo in August dipped slightly, compared to a summer high. (Wikimedia Commons)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

overdose crisis

Fatal overdoses in Nanaimo reach 2019 total, dip from mid-summer high

Sep 23, 2020 | 10:29 AM

NANAIMO — The number of fatal overdoses in Nanaimo in 2020 has crossed a significant milestone.

Data released by the BC Coroners Service on Wednesday, Sept. 23 showed three people fatally overdosed in Nanaimo in August.

By the end of the month, 27 people had lost their lives from illicit drug use in Nanaimo. This matches the total number of fatal overdoses in all of 2019 in the city.

Throughout Central Vancouver Island, stretching from the Cowichan Valley to the Oceanside region, 61 people died through to the end of August. This also matches the 2019 total of fatal overdoses in the region.

Six people died in the region in August, down from a high of 14 in June.

vehicle damage

Over 40 vehicles damaged during late-night Nanaimo vandalism spree

3h ago

rising costs

RDN taxpayers want relief as board grapples with budget

7h ago

new mayor

Spring Mayoral by-election called in Ladysmith

20h ago

An overdose advisory specific to Nanaimo was rescinded on Aug. 12 after being in place for roughly a week.

A much larger overdose advisory for all of Vancouver Island, which was first implemented in May, ended in June but continued under a province-wide overdose advisory.

The advisory for all of B.C. only ended on Aug. 24.

Across B.C., 147 people fatally overdosed in August. This is a 16 per cent decrease from the month before, but still a 71 per cent jump compared to August, 2019.

On Vancouver Island, Victoria remains one of the areas hardest hit by a resurging overdose epidemic. It’s in the top three most affected cities where 95 people fatally overdosed so far in 2020.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @nanaimonewsnow