[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]According to the BC Coroners Service, there were 113 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in March 2020.
That number represents a 61 per cent increase over the number of deaths in February and the first time the province has seen more than 100 deaths in a month since March of last year.The City of Toronto has also seen a sharp increase in drug overdose deaths since social distancing measures began.
In April, 25 people died due to drug overdoses, a high not seen in nearly three years. Signs of an overdose include slow breathing or no breathing at all, blue nails and/or lips, choking or throwing up, making gurgling sounds and cold, clammy skin.