A new threat emerges in the battle to prevent overdose deaths in BC The latest report from the BC Medical Examiner’s Office states that between July 2020 and February this year, etizolam was found in 41 per cent of illegal toxicity deaths undergoing rapid toxicological testing. Etizolam is a benzodiazepine analogue that does not respond to naloxone. The detection of benzodiazepines as a whole increased from 15 percent of the samples in July 2020 to 43 percent in February 2022. There were 174 suspected overdose deaths in the province in February, including 30 in Internal Health. There were 36 deaths in the IC in January. So far this year, 13 people have died from illegal substances in Kelowna and 16 in Kamloops. Across the Okanagan, there were 30 deaths in January and February, and at Thompson Cariboo 31 deaths in the first two months of 2022. Distributed per capita, Merritt has the second highest rate in the county and North Thompson was not far behind. Kamloops, Vernon and Penticton were in the top 15. Central Okanagan was in the middle of the pack. Men continue to be at greater risk, but more women are losing their lives to overdoses. The BC Forensic Service notes that the death rate in the 50+ age group is increasing year by year, representing at least 39 percent of deaths in 2022. 74 percent of 2022 deaths were between the ages of 30 and 59 and 78 percent were male. However, in February there was a change. Deaths from illicit drug toxicity decreased for those aged 40-59 and 60+, but increased for those aged 18 and under. More than 9,400 lives have been lost since the government declared a public health emergency on April 14, 2016. The gloomy anniversary will be marked in Kelowna on Thursday by the Moms Stop the Harm team. Hundreds of black balloons will be hung across the city and will be at 10 Starbucks locations to talk to members of the public about opioid risks and the need for a safe supply.
