June 16, 2010
BC drug-related hospital time rose over years '02-'08 in North, elsewhere
Recently released figures show that BC's rate of hospital discharges for conditions related to illicit drugs increased by one third from 2002 to 2008 (from 82 to 109 per 100,000 residents respectively).
The health authority with the largest increase over these years was Fraser Health (47%) followed closely by Northern Health (44%), but with its already high incidence, the Northern area reached the highest rate in the province--148 per 100,000 residents.
Deaths from illicit drug use were highest per capita in the Cariboo Thompson, North Island and Sunshine Coast areas.
The research was compiled by the Centre for Addictions Research of BC at the University of Victoria. It was released along with statistics related to illness and death caused by tobacco and alcohol.
http://carbc.ca/AODMonitoring/ResearchComponents/MortalityMorbidity/ArticleDetails/tabid/615/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/299/Hospitalizations-and-Deaths-for-BC-Health-Authorities--Illicit-Drug-Related.aspx
