Annual drug toxicity deaths in B.C. dip to pre-COVID levels

Officials report annual drug toxicity deaths in British Columbia have fallen to levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, and nearly half of those deaths occurred in private residences.

Officials report that annual drug toxicity deaths in British Columbia have returned to levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. The published figures describe where deaths occurred, the substances found, and how people consumed them. The report presents these patterns as part of an ongoing public-health data release. Key details: - Nearly half (48 per cent) of reported deaths occurred in a private residence, while 20 per cent occurred outdoors. - Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues were the most common substances detected; 69 per cent had fentanyl and 54 per cent had fluorofentanyl reported. - Other commonly detected substances included cocaine (53 per cent) and methamphetamine (52 per cent). - Smoking was the most common reported mode of consumption (65 per cent), followed by nasal insufflation (11 per cent), injection (nine per cent) and oral use (four per cent). Summary: Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues remain the most frequently detected substances in the reported deaths. Undetermined at this time.