The overdose crisis continues to worsen across the province, and health officials are bracing for the holiday period, when drug overdoses traditionally spike.
The BC Coroner Service says there have been 1200 overdose deaths across the province so far this year, with most happening in Vancouver and on the island.
Mid-island medical health officer Dr. Paul Hasselback says there has been a 33% increase in overdose deaths locally.
27 people died in the central island area outside of Nanaimo last year after taking drugs laced with fentanyl.
Chief paramedic Bruce Patterson says overdose calls have increased from 77 in 2015 to possibly 135 this year – almost double the number in just 2 years, and they’re not seeing any signs of the crisis slowing down.