Parksville saw overdose-related emergency calls increase by over 40 per cent in 2021.
The city saw a significant jump from 81 calls in 2020 to 116 in 2021, new BC Emergency Health Services (BC EHS) data shows. It was the highest yearly total since BC EHS began reporting the numbers in 2016.
Across the province, medical emergency call takers and paramedics responded to 35,525 overdoses — up 31 per cent over the previous year. Every health region saw an increase, including Island Health’s 32 per cent jump in calls.
Nanoose (Nine calls in 2020, eight in 2021) and Qualicum Beach (27 calls in 2020, 28 in 2021) did not see much of a change.
The Nanaimo area saw a significant increase from 664 calls in 2020 to 891 last year, according to BC EHS data.
Every day approximately 100 people overdose in B.C., requiring an emergency call and paramedics to respond.
