Illicit fentanyl remains the top drug involved in the ongoing overdose crisis. (file photo/The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

overdose crisis

Overdose deaths increase in central Vancouver Island, bucking B.C. trend

Oct 20, 2020 | 10:19 AM

NANAIMO — The number of people who fatally overdosed within the central Vancouver Island area increased in September, as much of B.C. saw the overdose crisis ease.

Data released on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from the BC Coroners Service showed more people died in September, 2020 than in August, 2020, rising by three to nine lives lost.

South Vancouver Island, which is one of the areas hit hardest by the resurging overdose crisis, saw a decrease from 14 to six.

Three of the fatalities in central Vancouver Island were in Nanaimo, holding steady from the month before. More people have now died in Nanaimo by the end of September, 2020 as had in all of 2019.

If the increase holds for the rest of 2020, Nanaimo could exceed the 2018 total of 37 overdose fatalities.

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The overdose crisis is easing back from the highs of May and July in B.C.

The 127 people who died in September is a 15 per cent decrease from August however is a 112 per cent increase from a year prior

Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria were once again listed as the hardest hit communities.

Though the number of people dying is easing heading into winter, 2020 is still the most fatal year for overdoses in B.C.

The number of deaths per 100,000 people across the province has exceeded the highs of 2017 and 2018 when the epidemic was at its peak.

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