BC's record breaking level of overdoses makes Prince Rupert EHS third busiest in Northwest

A BC EHS Ambulance at the Emergency
door at PRRH

Last week's report from BC Coroner Lisa Lapointe on the growing level of Toxic Drug overdoses in the province highlighted how the issue is not one confined to the large urban areas, but also of significant impact in rural and isolated communities. 

Of note from the report the dire situation in Terrace which has the most reported toxic drug incidents in the region.

Some recent data from BC Emergency Health Services also helps to chart the volume of emergency calls that Emergency Responders attend to in the Northwest on those Overdose/Poisoning calls and their data certainly backs up the Coroner's Review of the situation in Terrace.

Last year Emergency Responders attended to an alarming 383 calls for service in the Terrace region, that number far beyond Smithers which was listed as second in response with 94.

Prince Rupert EHS Attended to 77 calls for assistance in 2023.

The Prince Rupert total makes for a slight drop from 2022's record of 81 calls,  it is however almost double that found  on 2016

2023 -- 77
2022 -- 81
2021 -- 71
2020 -- 78
2019 -- 55
2018 -- 53
2017 -- 41
2016 -- 44

Of the four largest communities in the northwest  Kitimat had the least volume with 53 calls for assistance.

The full list of communities in BC and the volume of calls for help can be reviewed here.

The chart of the last eight years for those communities can be reviewed here.

The notes below outline how 2023 with 42,172 overdose/poisoning calls compared to previous years, 

More on the key findings from the BCEHS Report can be reviewed here.

A look at the work of Emergency Responders from across the Northwest can be reviewed here.