First Nations more likely to die of drug overdose in BC

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The death toll from the opioid crisis in BC continues to rise and one group is being hit particularly hard. The overdose rate for First Nations in our province is dramatically higher than everyone else.

First Nations communities are experiencing overdose events at nearly five times the rate of the general population.

Grand Chief Doug Kelly says the wounds of the past are scarring the current generations. “Alcoholism was here long before the current issue of opioid use and adult suicide.”

Kelly adds, as a society, there needs to be a second look given at the root problems of addiction.

The new government’s Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, Judy Darcy, says her job right now is to listen. “Going out and talking to people on the front lines about what’s working, what is isn’t working and what more we need to do.”

She adds there aren’t enough treatment beds or culturally appropriate treatment facilities in the province right now.

Experts says 10 per cent of all overdose deaths in BC involve a First Nations person and unlike the general population, men and women within First Nations groups experience overdose events at roughly the same rate.

While First Nations peoples only account for three per cent of the population, they account for 14 per cent of all overdose events. “The overdose health emergency, like the shared history of colonization and current efforts toward reconciliation, belongs to all of us — it will take a systems-wide response to slow and stop First Nations overdose deaths,” says Dr. Perry Kendall, the province’s top doctor.

Since the beginning of 2016, the province says more than 1,700 people have died due to the opioid crisis.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today