Fentanyl a factor in 75% of deadly overdoses: B.C. Coroners Service

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Fentanyl was detected in three quarters of fatal overdoses in B.C. over

That shocking finding was released by the B.C. Coroners Service today. It which has taken a closer look at over 800 deaths since a public health emergency was declared in April 2016.

The report, which covers over 800 illicit drug overdose investigations in 2016 and 2017, finds four in five people who died were men, and two-thirds lived in private homes.

It also discovered nearly half of those who died of a drug overdose were employed but 45 per cent were taking drugs to ease pain.

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“Illicit drugs continue to be the source of more than three deaths per day in B.C.,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner.

“Our expanded analysis confirms that more than two-thirds of these illicit drug deaths in 2016 and 2017 involve people using alone and indoors. We know this leads to a higher risk for death with a toxic drug supply. We continue to urge those using substances to plan to take them in the company of someone who can provide help: administering naloxone and calling 911 for assistance.”

More than half of those who died of an overdose had a reported clinical mental health diagnosis or showed evidence of a mental disorder.

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