It’s clear the opioid crisis is still here, as B.C. saw 60% more overdose deaths in March than the two months prior.
The province saw 113 deaths that month, which marks the first time B.C. has ever recorded more than 100 deaths in a single month.
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In comparison to the months prior, January saw 77 overdose deaths, while February faced 70. About 57% of the deaths happened in private residences.
Street-level fentanyl was detected in 70% of the cases.
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Since the opioid crises was declared a public health emergency nearly four years ago, the city said there has been 4,700 fatal overdoses in B.C.
Of that number, about 1,200 of those were in Vancouver.
B.C. introduced new clinical guidelines in March, as a way to offer safer alternatives to street drugs, amid the pandemic.
This new guidance may help reduce the risk of overdoses, as well as the spread of COVID-19.
For more B.C. stories, head to our News section.
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