The B.C. Coroners Service has released its monthly update on the number of illicit drug overdose deaths in the province.
In total, there were 124 suspected drug overdose deaths province-wide in April 2018.
In a welcome change from last month’s report, the numbers mark a 23% decrease compared to March 2018, and a 18% decrease compared to April 2017.
There have now been 511 recorded deaths in total this year. 39 of those deaths were reported in Victoria.
61% of deaths this year occurred at private residences, while another 29% occurred in other locations such as other housing, motels, and public buildings. 9% occurred in outdoor locations like parks and vehicles.
Once again, there have been no reported deaths at supervised injection sites.
An infographic of the updated statistics is available here.
An Island Health official told Victoria Buzz that it’s too difficult to say what factors have led to the decrease from March to April, and that it’s too early to say it’s part of any particular trend.
Island Health repeated previous advisories that users should only use drugs when there is another person with them, and that they should always carry naloxone kits in case of an overdose.
