Report shows alcohol and tobacco consumption higher on Vancouver Island than rest of BC

According to an Island Health report, psychoactive substances, which includes alcohol, opioids, tobacco and cannabis, are taking a toll on Vancouver Island residents. 

This report’s aim is to educate the public on the harms associated with the use of these substances.

The report is titled ‘Challenge and Change: A Public Health Response to our Perplexing Relationship with Psychoactive Substances’, and it reviews consumption and health data for residents of Island Health related to substance use. 

This data shows that on Vancouver Island:

• Alcohol and tobacco consumption is higher than in the rest of British Columbia
• Alcohol consumption is the leading cause of substance-related hospital admissions
• Toxic drug deaths are the top cause of fatality in people between 19 and 59-years-old
• Although premature death rate from tobacco consumption is declining; however, tobacco remains the top cause of premature death caused by substance use
• Consumption and health harms related to substance use are inequitable 

This report also shows differences in Island Health’s approaches that contribute to, or mitigate substance-associated harms.

“Tobacco, alcohol, and illegally manufactured opioids all cause significant harm to the health of people in Island Health,” says Dr. Réka Gustafson, Island Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer. 

“These harms are preventable and together we have the opportunity to reshape the narrative and drive change to improve health in our communities.”

It is the job of medical health officers in BC to monitor and report on the health of the population, provide advice on public health issues and implement relevant health promotion and protection policies.

“Public narrative around substances is increasingly polarized and often based on perception, opinion and history,” says Dr. Gustafson. 

“I hope the information in this report will support constructive conversations among communities, organizations, and people who use substances in Island Health to help identify and bring about meaningful change for the better.”

Opportunities for BC government actions that could prevent further harms are also presented in this report. 

These opportunities are evidence-based, and address the health inequities experienced by Indigenous Peoples, according to Island Health. 

Island Health hopes that this report can serve as an engagement tool to support dialogue among public health staff, clinicians, local governments, First Nation communities and community organizations across Vancouver Island to address the health and social challenges related to substance use.