New data shows paramedics responded to 25 overdose and poisoning calls in Vanderhoof, B.C. last year, according to annual data released by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS).
Prince George had the fifth highest number of these calls in the province last year, with 1,758.
The other four communities with the highest numbers last year are Vancouver (9,564), Surrey (3,335), Victoria (2, 381) and Kelowna (2,032).
BCEHS paramedics responded to a total of 40,543 overdose and poisoning patient events, with an average of 111 calls a day in 2024.
However, there was a decrease in total calls by 4 per cent from 2023.
Additionally, there has been a 110 per cent total increase in annual overdose and poisoning events in the province since the public health emergency for toxic drugs was declared in 2016, according to BCEHS.
The group says they experienced 10 months with more than 3,000 overdose and poisoning calls in 2024 and their paramedics responded to an average of 111 of these calls per day in B.C., down from 116 in 2023.
On June 21, 2023, BCEHS recorded 221 of these calls, it remains the highest call volume day to date.
Overall, the highest number of overdoses ever recorded in a single month was in July 2023: 3,944 overdose calls.
With the exception of November and December, BCEHS paramedics responded to more than 3,000 overdose and poisoning calls each month in 2024.
