Courtenay, B.C. sees 127% increase in overdoses in 2021
The number of overdoses recorded in B.C. rose by nearly a third last year compared to 2020, and communities on Vancouver Island were not spared the increase.
According to B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), paramedics responded to 35,525 overdoses in 2021, up roughly 31 per cent compared to 2020.
The Island Health region rose about 32 per cent in 2021, with 5,917 overdose calls received, compared to 4,466 reported in 2020, according to the BCEHS.
On Vancouver Island, the City of Courtenay saw one of the largest year-over-year increases in the province.
The BCEHS responded to 467 overdose calls in Courtenay last year, up a staggering 127 per cent compared to the 206 calls reported in 2020.
Campbell River also saw a significant rise in overdose calls to paramedics, with a 62 per cent increase. BCEHS says 403 calls were received in the city in 2021, up from 249 in 2020.
Last year, Victoria saw a 24 per cent increase in calls, with 1,952 potential overdoses reported, up from 1,569 in 2020.
In the Mid-Island, Nanaimo saw a 34 per cent increase, with 891 overdose calls to paramedics, up from 664 in 2020.
One of the few decreases in overdose calls in the province was recorded in Ladysmith, where 33 calls were reported last year, down from 39 in 2020, marking a 15 per cent decrease.
"Almost every community in B.C. had more overdose patients in 2021 than the previous year," said the BCEHS in a release Wednesday.
Every day in 2021, nearly 100 overdoses were reported in British Columbia.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.