B.C. Shelter Exhausts Naloxone Supply Amid 80 Overdoses in 24 Hours

A shelter in British Columbia’s Cowichan Valley faced a critical situation last week as it ran out of naloxone following an alarming spike in drug overdoses. Officials reported approximately 80 toxic drug poisonings over a 24-hour period from November 18 to 19, 2023. Erin Kapela, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Cowichan Valley Branch, described the circumstances as unprecedented and concerning.

Reports of overdoses at the Warmland House Shelter in Duncan began to emerge on the evening of November 18. “We’ve never experienced something quite like that,” Kapela told CBC’s All Points West. “It was really scary.” The Island Health Authority confirmed a “dramatic increase” in toxic drug poisonings that night, indicating a troubling trend in the region.

Despite the high number of incidents, Kapela noted that there have been no confirmed fatalities as of November 25. “There are some people who are in quite serious condition, but at this point there’s been no fatalities, which is an absolute miracle,” she stated.

The swift response from first responders, shelter staff, and community members was critical in mitigating the crisis. Kapela explained that the shelter distributed so much naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, that they quickly exhausted their supply. “We had to put a call out the next day to replenish our stock,” she said, emphasizing the community’s urgent need for the life-saving drug.

In response to the surge in overdoses, Island Health worked to provide additional naloxone to the shelter, although they did not deplete their own supplies. Kapela highlighted the nature of the drugs circulating in the community, stating, “Whatever was in that particular supply was very, very toxic and dangerous.”

The day after the overdoses were reported, Island Health issued a drug poisoning overdose advisory to alert residents of the increased risks associated with unregulated substance use. The advisory encouraged individuals to seek out safer consumption options and access resources such as supervised consumption sites and drug-checking services.

As of September 30, 2023, British Columbia has recorded approximately 1,384 unregulated drug deaths this year. While this figure reflects a 31 percent decrease compared to two years ago, a significant number of these deaths occurred in private homes and outdoor settings. The ongoing crisis underscores the complex challenges facing the province.

Looking toward the future, Kapela emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of addiction and homelessness. “We know what to do to keep people safe, and if we could get people housed and taken care of properly, then we could avoid situations like this quite well,” she stated.

The recent events in Cowichan Valley highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat the ongoing drug crisis, ensuring that communities are equipped to handle similar situations in the future.