The past 24 hours have not been kind to Victorians.
According to Island Health, there has been a surge in drug overdose cases in Victoria in that time.
The news prompted the organization to take to Twitter and remind the public of safer drug use, and overdose prevention practices.
What to do when someone ODs
- Call 9-1-1
- Provide rescue breathing
- Administer naloxone
- Stay with them until they get help
Safer drug use practices
- Test the drug by using a little bit before taking a regular hit
- Have a friend around
- If you’re alone, go to an Overdose Prevention Site
- Stagger your drug use with friends, so someone can respond if need be
- Carry Naloxone and plan ahead for overdose
OVERDOSE ADVISORY: There has been an increase in #overdoses in Victoria in the past 24 hours. #yyj #StopOverdose pic.twitter.com/jbADW0JeDF
— Island Health (@VanIslandHealth) October 27, 2017
Just two weeks ago, the BC Coroner’s service released a report which shows that the number of deaths through the first eight months of 2017 has already surpassed the total for the entirety of 2016.
Quick Facts:
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority has the highest rate of illicit drug overdose deaths among all health authorities at 38.9 deaths per 100,000 individuals and also experienced the largest increase in rate from 2016 at a 63% increase
- Almost three out of every four deaths involved persons between the ages of 30 and 59 years
- Four out of five who died were male
- Nine out of every 10 deaths occurred indoors, including more than half in private residences
- No deaths occurred at any supervised consumption site or at any of the drug overdose prevention sites.
