The BC Coroners Service says the province reported nine per cent fewer toxic drug deaths in the first 10 months of 2024, and ANKORS officials say harm reduction likely played a vital role in that reduction.
“The biggest way we can prevent these deaths is through our robust drug-checking program, which is funded through Interior Health,” said Paulette Sutherland, ANKORS Team Lead and Moving Mountains Community Action Team Coordinator.
“It’s an incredible program that’s based on building relationships with the people who need to have their samples tested the most.”
The BC Coroners Service says 1,925 people died across the province in the first 10 months of the year.
Sutherland says people still need to be cautious, even though numbers have decreased over last year.
“We know the drugs that are in different communities, especially in rural areas, come to other towns like Cranbrook,” said Sutherland.
“We recently had a death here, but that’s not recorded in the statistical data yet. There is still a toxic drug emergency out there and we are still seeing high numbers in our rural communities.”
ANKORS provides several services and connections for clients, and Sutherland says this can be helpful for people who need assistance.
“When people come in, they get connected to other services and I can’t say enough about the importance of that this year,” said Sutherland.
“Someone might come in to get a sample tested, but at the same time, they might see our outreach doctor or they’re getting connected to human resources or the Interior Health staff who are there. In this response, our community collaborations are critical in saving lives.”
Sutherland says ANKORS also emphasizes the importance of public education and reducing stigma.
“We provide information to the public on the toxic drug emergency, how to use naloxone, encouraging agencies and the public to get training from us on how to use it,” said Sutherland.
“Naloxone training and harm reduction principals and practices is a really big part of our work.”
According to the BC Coroners Service, 30 people were killed by toxic drugs in the Kootenay Boundary and 18 people died in the East Kootenay in the first 10 months of 2024.
