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- Dec 12 - Fewer toxic drug deaths, but still far too many
Dec 12 - Fewer toxic drug deaths, but still far too many
VIU chemists working to make boats less toxic to fish, seniors advocate says BC failing its oldest residents.
Capital Daily Team
December 12, 2024
Good morning !
The holidays are coming up quickly and I only have about half of the gifts I need for loved ones. Anybody else scrambling to get everything before gift exchanges begin?
— Robyn
Have you picked up or made gifts for your loved ones yet? |
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
25 Islanders killed by toxic drugs in October
BC Minister of Health Josie Osborne. Photo: Province of BC Flickr
The BC Coroners Service’s (BCCS) newly released Oct. total shows a notable decline in toxic drug deaths for Island Health when compared with other monthly totals this year, which typically have hovered around 40. In Greater Victoria, nine people died because of toxic drugs in Oct., the lowest monthly total for the city this year. Fewer people died of overdoses in BC’s Interior as well, bringing the province’s overall total to 155 deaths—an average of five deaths a day.
It’s a four-year low, but the health emergency remains at crisis levels. With 1,925 deaths already recorded in the first 10 months, this year's total deaths will again pass the 2K mark. By comparison, 10 years ago 370 British Columbians died because of toxic drugs. BC doctors say Oct.’s drop in drug deaths is likely related to changes in the drug supply, not government policies. There’s no guarantee that the supply will continue to be less toxic, they say.
Last month, doctors and volunteers set up unsanctioned overdose-prevention sites at the Royal Jubilee and a Nanaimo hospital as the government scrapped plans for harm-reduction spaces aimed at reducing illicit drug use inside hospitals.
Plans for overdose-prevention sites at three Island hospitals were paused in April as the province took a zero-tolerance stance on illicit drug use in hospitals. BC’s Ministry of Health said the sites could be reconsidered in the future.
From Jan. to Oct., there were 389 toxic drug deaths reported on the Island, including 136 in Greater Victoria. So far this year, Island Health has had the second-highest rate of death for a health authority, with 50 per 100K people (Northern Health had the highest rate at 70 per 100K people).
Toxic drug deaths are the leading cause of unnatural death for people aged 10-59 in BC, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural disease combined.
The rate of female death continues to increase year over year, a trend that began during the pandemic, though male deaths still make up three-quarters of drug deaths. Island Health has BC's second-highest rate of female death at 26 per 100K.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Saanich traffic alerts: See which roads are being worked on this week in the district.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
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NEWS
Island researchers create online tool to make cleaning boats less toxic
A new solution is surfacing for boaters keen to tackle the problem of toxic chemicals in cleaning products that can poison salmon and other important marine life.
A new online dashboard and helpful cheat sheet geared to help people choose the most eco-friendly products and cleaning methods while maintaining their vessels has been created by chemistry researchers at Vancouver Island University (VIU) and the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF).
Feedback from commercial fishers and recreational boaters has been really positive, according to VIU professor Alexandra Weissfloch and student researcher Lily Eggert, since most boat owners see the value of protecting the aquatic ecosystems in the oceans and lakes which they rely on for their livelihood and enjoyment.
“People love being out on the water, and I think that they will happily choose [to use] something that is less harmful,” Weissfloch said.
Many boat cleaners contain toxic chemicals that once they find their way into water can kill or harm a wide range of aquatic life from microscopic algae to killer whales, Weissfloch said.
It’s difficult for boaters to find out what is in their cleaning products, said Weissfloch, noting there are no government requirements obliging companies to list the chemical ingredients on their packaging the way food items must.
That’s where the dashboard with its searchable database and fact sheet developed by VIU and Pacific Salmon Foundation comes in handy, Weissfloch said.
They’re easy to use and understand, and take the guesswork out of the process of choosing eco-friendly products, or at least some less harmful ones.
SPONSORED BY CONTINUING STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
Communication takes the top spot.
For the second year in a row, communication skills secured the top spot in LinkedIn’s report for most in-demand skills in 2024.
“In an era of hybrid work, employees communicate across an ever-expanding range of channels and platforms,” says the report. “Since in-person collaboration is no longer the default, effective communication from company and team leadership across channels helps connect, motivate and inspire your teams.”
Other skills like customer service, leadership and project management were also high on the list along with the ability to adapt to changing workplaces.
Want to enhance or update your communication skills? Check out UVIC's professional courses and programs.
⭐️ Capital Picks
😱 Friday the 13th is tomorrow. [Film at the Vic Theatre]
🎻 Celebrate the holiday season with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and music by J.S. Bach in Festive Cantatas: Bach & Zelenka on Dec. 21.*
🐦 Blue heron preens in Island waters. Check out the caption for some heron fun facts. [Instagram]
🎄Best Christmas light displays by map. [Times Colonist]
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Seniors advocate says province is failing older residents
BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt said in a recent report that stats around healthcare and long-term care are troubling. While seniors are living longer and staying healthy longer, the number of seniors in the province has risen by 45% in the last decade. Waitlists for knee and hip-replacement surgery have grown more than 50% in the last five years and 6,500 seniors were waiting to get publicly subsidized long-term care beds, a rise of 250% in the same timeframe. [CTV]
Santa and Rudolph deleted from Saanich school concert song lyrics
Marie Garvin says her son was told the words to Candy Cane Lane were changed in order to be inclusive but her first thought was it felt like someone was “erasing Christmas.” She says it’s one thing to avoid songs about religious figures but Santa Claus and the red-nosed reindeer shouldn’t be seen as controversial. Saanich’s SD63 says the teacher made the call, not the board. [CTV]
UVic microbiology alumna earns Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford
Shaeleen (Shae) Mihalynuk is one of 11 Canadians—and the lone from BC—selected for two years of post-graduate studies at the prestigious UK uni. Mihalynuk, who graduated with distinction in June, is UVic’s 13th Rhodes Scholar and the third in the last six years. Established in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest graduate scholarship in the world. It’s awarded to young people with proven academic excellence and a commitment to solving humanity’s challenges. [UVic]
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SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY
Make a difference
PHS Community Services Society has been housing, feeding and supporting marginalized people in Victoria since 2016.
Services include low-barrier supportive housing, shelter, harm reduction, recovery options and community supports.
The charity has a $100,000 holiday season campaign.
Your support helps bring people in out of the cold. Please donate today.
🗓️ Things to do
🎶 Lorraine Nygaard: Hear some jazzy holiday tunes from the singer and her fabulous band at Hermann’s tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🎭 Sense and Sensibility: See students from the Canadian College of Performing Arts take on Jane Austen’s beloved tale of love and family this weekend. Opens today. 7pm. [Info]
🎼 The Gift of Christmas Music: Sing along to Christmas choral tunes at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church today. 12-1pm. [Info]
😂 Improv Student Showcase: See the improv newcomers show off the skills they learned in comedian Alex Forman’s class at the Mint tonight. 8pm. [Info]
🤘 Victoria Rock Choir: Hear choral versions of Metallica, KISS, Supertramp, and more at First Metropolitan Church tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🤣 The Late Night Show with Nash Park: Head to the Mint for this hilarious live late night talk show tomorrow. Shows at 7pm & 10pm. [Info]
📯 46th Annual Tuba Christmas: More than 100 tuba and euphonium players will perform your favourite holiday carols in Market Square on Sat. 1-3pm. [Info]
🎁 FunkThe Halls: Check out the Funk Hunters 9th annual Funk The Halls Tour at Capital Ballroom tomorrow and Sat. 9pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Wednesday’s headlines: Man attacks student outside Esquimalt High; BC woman apologizes for fake nurse routine; Lord Stanley coming to Victoria; And more. [Dec. 11]
Impaired driving stats surge in Saanich, remain high in Vic. [Capital Daily]
More police patrols for speeders, says James Bay community group. [Capital Daily]
Missing teen girl located. [RCMP]
Out of Alberni: Philippine Mars approaches final flight. [CHEK]
Drop-in medical clinics disappearing from BC. [Vancouver Sun]
Write a Victoria hockey song: Win $5K. [Century Celebration]
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