The number of fatal overdoses recorded each month in Nanaimo is increasing. (Darryl Dyck/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

overdose crisis

Fatal overdoses increasing in Nanaimo and across B.C.

Apr 30, 2021 | 5:39 AM

NANAIMO — The number of lives lost each month to illicit substances in Nanaimo is increasing from the month before.

Data from the BC Coroners Service unveiled on Thursday, April 29 showed nine people have died due to fatal overdoses in Nanaimo by the end of March so far in 2021.

This follows five fatalities by the end of February and only two by the end of January.

If the trend continues, 2021 could be just as fatal as 2020 when the overdose pandemic resurged and 38 people died in Nanaimo.

The number of fatalities from illicit drug use in Nanaimo had dropped substantially at the end of 2020 and first month of 2021.

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Within Island Health, the central Vancouver Island area saw 19 deaths by the end of March, while south Vancouver Island saw 40.

Across the province, 498 people lost their lives to overdoses during the first three months of the year, which is a new record for the time period.

In March, 158 people lost their lives due to overdoses B.C. wide, representing a 41 per cent increase compared to the 112 deaths during the same period last year.

As it has been throughout the entire crisis, most fatal overdoses occurred inside when the person was using alone.

An overdose advisory issued by Island Health for the Nanaimo area was recently extended.

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