There is a link between mental health and illicit drug use -- that, according to a new report released by the BC Coroner's Service.
The service took a closer look 872 illicit drug overdose deaths in 2016 and 2017 and found more than half of those who died had received a mental health diagnosis or showed evidence of a mental health disorder. Also, about 4 out of 5 had contact with health services in the year before their death.
The report also found more than 2/3's used drugs while they were alone; 45% had reported pain-related issues; 9% were homeless; and about one quarter of the deaths involved people, primarily males, working in trades or transport.
The report also learned 65% of those who died were never married and 18% were previously separated or divorced, and 51% were unemployed.
81% -- or 4 out of every 5 deaths involved males; and fentanyl was detected in just over 3-quarters of the deaths.
Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe says illicit drugs continue to be the source of more than 3 deaths a day in B.C. with the expanded analysis confirming over two-thirds of the drug deaths involve people using alone and indoors.
Lapointe says a toxic drug supply increases the risk of death, and urges drug users never to use alone.
The BC Coroners Service also released its updated data on illicit drug overdose deaths in British Columbia to the end of August 2018, with 98 suspected drug overdose deaths in August.
That is a 27% decrease from the previous month (134 suspected overdose deaths were reported in July 2018). It also marks a 20% decrease compared to August 2017.