British Columbia Faces Surge in 911 Calls for Overdose Emergencies

British Columbia is grappling with a significant increase in 911 calls related to toxic drug overdoses, according to the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). Last week set a new record for emergency calls, highlighted by a peak on November 19, 2023. In conjunction with this, the Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) reported an alarming rise in overdose incidents, with firefighters responding to record numbers of calls.

Authorities attribute the spike in 911 calls and overdose cases to the potent opioid fentanyl being mixed with the animal tranquilizer medetomidine. This combination has raised serious alarms as it has been linked to an increase in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses across the province.

Rising Concerns Over Drug Supply Contamination

Health officials have issued urgent warnings urging drug users to test their substances and avoid using drugs alone. The B.C. Coroners Service has reported an estimated 1,384 unregulated drug deaths in the province as of September 30, 2023. While this marks a 31 percent decrease in overdose rates compared to two years ago, the recent surge in emergency calls has raised concerns about a potential reversal of progress made in recent months.

Dr. Nel Wieman, the FNHA’s chief medical officer, expressed apprehension about the recent uptick. “We do not want to see a backslide into the years that we had previously,” she stated. The increase in 911 calls is not viewed as a failure of harm reduction strategies, but rather a reflection of the dangerous substances being distributed in the unregulated market.

Matthew Trudeau, a public information officer with VFRS, connected the surge in overdose calls to the timing of cheque week in B.C., a period when income assistance payments are distributed. Research has shown this week often correlates with increased drug purchases and usage. Trudeau noted that firefighters had previously observed a decline in overdose calls over the summer, but last week saw an average of 45 calls related to drug poisonings, with a peak of 54 calls on November 21, 2023.

Impact of Medetomidine on Overdose Incidents

Both Vancouver Coastal Health and the FNHA have highlighted the dangers posed by the contamination of drugs with medetomidine. This tranquilizer does not respond to naloxone, the medication commonly used to counteract opioid overdoses. In recent weeks, a growing number of non-fatal overdoses have been linked to this potent combination.

“Medetomidine overdose presents symptoms similar to opioid overdose but also includes a low heart rate and prolonged sedation,” the health authority warned. Officials stress the importance of distributing naloxone to those at risk, even if the substances involved may not respond to it.

Dr. Wieman cautioned against misinformation about the causes of the surge in overdose-related emergency calls, affirming that harm reduction strategies have played a crucial role in mitigating toxic drug deaths this year. She stressed, “The people who work on the front lines, who work in the communities, are doing their heroic jobs on a day-to-day basis.”

As British Columbia continues to navigate this challenging landscape, health officials emphasize the need for community support and awareness. The ongoing crisis highlights the importance of vigilance in drug use and the critical role of harm reduction in saving lives.