Nanaimo, Parksville and B.C. overall saw increases in the number of overdose-related callouts in 2021. (Pikist)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

concerning data

Overdose calls smash provincial records, huge increases in Nanaimo & Parksville

Jan 13, 2022 | 6:34 AM

NANAIMO — New data from BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) is highlighting the worsening drug toxicity crisis in B.C.

Across the province, a record 35,525 overdose and poisoning calls were placed to emergency responders in 2021, representing a 31 per cent increase.

Paramedics and other front-line emergency responders in Nanaimo handled a record 891 drug toxicity call-outs in 2021 (2.4 per day), up 26 per cent from 664 in 2020.

Since the drug toxicity crisis was declared a public health emergency in 2016, the problem has gotten much worse in Nanaimo. (NanaimoNewsNOW graphic)

In Parksville there were 116 overdose calls in 2021, also a new high for the city and far beyond the previous record of 81 recorded the year prior.

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“Every day in B.C. close to 100 people overdose, requiring a 911 medical emergency call and paramedics to respond, often, to bring the patient back to life. During the pandemic the number of overdose calls has steadily increased. This past year was another record-breaking year for overdoses,” a BCEHS statement read, which noted call volumes spiked during the pandemic.

Communities within the Island Health region reported nearly 6,000 overdose call-outs, up by more than 30 per cent compared to the year before.

As of the end of October, a record 1,782 British Columbians passed away in 2021 due to the ongoing drug toxicity crisis, according to the BC Coroners Service.

Thirty seven deaths in Nanaimo in the first ten months of last year were attributed to toxic drugs.

BCEHS callouts for 2021 when compared to the average number of callouts over the last five years for several B.C. communities. (NanaimoNewsNOW graphic)

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