Men aged 30 to 59 are making up around 55 per cent of all drug toxicity deaths across the central Island and B.C. overall. (Dreamstime)

By Alex Rawnsley

man up

‘Men often suffer in silence:’ push continues to curb disproportionate number of young men dying from toxic drugs

Apr 5, 2022 | 6:26 AM

NANAIMO — Local health officials are ramping up efforts to stop a high proportion of men dying from illicit, toxic drugs.

Island Health are making a renewed push at starting a conversation with illict substance users, particularly men aged 30 to 59 who make up a majority of toxic drug-related deaths on the central Island and B.C. every year.

Dr. Sandra Allison, medical health officer with Island Health, told NanaimoNewsNOW the stigma behind using and struggling is literally killing people.

“Men don’t seek care as soon as they should and in fact, men often suffer in silence. We have a culture of stoicism perhaps or people being very strong but it’s a very difficult time so we really encourage people in that age group…please reach out and make those connections.”

According to the B.C. Coroners Service, 71 per cent of the province’s 2,224 fatalities linked to the toxic drug crisis were aged between 30 and 59.

christmas kick off

'An incredibly fun night:' Moonlight Madness in Qualicum Beach ignites holiday cheer

1h ago

tragic discovery

Body retrieved following south Nanaimo house fire

4h ago

parks impacted

Brisk storm topples trees at Nanaimo parks, including prized fairy tree at Neck Point

10h ago

Of those deaths, 78 per cent were men.

Through a four week media campaign, Island Health will be looking to fight through stigma and reach men at risk of succumbing to toxic drugs. A new round of bus shelter ads will also deploy to encourage people to reach out.

It’s all in a bid to get those using, particularly alone, to make a connection which could save their life, whether through friends or family, smartphone apps like Lifeguard or Brave, or via help lines such as the National Overdose Response Service (1-888-688 NORS [6677]).

“If people are really in extreme crisis, our emergency rooms are absolutely the place to go. Seeking care with an emergency provider when you’re at a very dangerous time in your life when you’re feeling a high level of stress and crisis, do reach out to our emergency setting.”

Health officials are also doubling down on their push to bring in safe supply and decriminalization of illicit drugs, steps they say will help save lives.

Both topped a list of recommendations from a death review panel convened by the B.C. Coroners Service.

Allison said the current situation with illicit drugs is not too dissimilar to prohibition, with more dangerous versions filling the void of then-banned liquor.

She also said we need to handle opioid use as a medical condition and treat it accordingly, in the same manner a diabetic is treated with insulin.

“Someone who is struggling with opioid use disorder and has a dependence on opioids, right now they’re reliant on a contraband supply that’s highly toxic and killing many people in our communities,” Allison told NanaimoNewsNOW. “A safer supply is like providing a medication that’s vital to their sustainment and that isn’t poisoned.”

More information on overdose prevention services available through Island Health is available on their website.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW