BC emergency services respond to record-high 130 overdose calls in single day

BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) recently responded to a frighteningly high number of overdose calls.

On Friday, July 27, paramedics responded to 130 separate calls, all reporting suspected overdose. That’s the highest number of calls seen in a single day and only seen once before in British Columbia during April of 2017.

Emergency services were happy, however, to report that all lives were saved and there were no fatalities.

They also urged people to share a singular message with their friends and families: “Don’t use alone and call 911 if you suspect an OD.”

Yesterday, July 27, 2018 BCEHS paramedics responded to 130 suspected overdose calls – the highest in 1 day, a number seen only once before in BC in April 2017. Thankfully all lives saved. Tell your families, tell your friends: Don’t Use Alone, and Call 911 if you suspect an OD.

— Emerg Health Services (@BC_EHS) July 28, 2018

Linda Lupini, executive vice-president of the BCEHS and Provincial Health Services Authority of BC, explains that the drug supply that’s currently on the streets is extremely toxic.

130 overdoses yesterday across B.C. Highest in a single day since April 2017. All 130 responded to were saved. Please be careful and don’t use alone. Very toxic supply right now. @charliesmithvcr @cbcnewsbc @CTVVancouver @sarahblyth @GlobalBC https://t.co/L9clDgBkTO

— Linda Lupini (@LupiniBCEHS) July 28, 2018

Earlier in June, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (VFRS) responded to what they called three of their “busiest days on record.”

Even then, however, their highest recorded number of calls was 41 in a single day. In a release, VFRS reported weekly call totals of 112 and 198.

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