Trends
Based on preliminary data in 2023 for Card 23 (overdose/poisoning events), the following observations can be made. Note, the data reflects the number of overdose/poisoning calls paramedics have responded to in each health authority and provincewide.
- On June 21, 2023, a new daily record was set with BCEHS receiving 221 overdose/poisoning (Card 23) calls for the day. It was an income assistance payment day.
- The previous high was set earlier this year, on March 22, 2023, with BCEHS receiving 205 overdose/poisoning calls that day (also income assistance payment day).
- In 2022, BCEHS experienced two months with more than 3,000 overdose/poisoning calls for the year, including the first single-day total over 200 on Jan. 19, 2022 (203 calls).
- In total, there have been 44 days when BCEHS experienced 150 or more calls for Card 23 events – 20 have been in 2023.
- Through the first five months of 2023, the average daily calls per day is over 100 for the first time ever.
Historic highest call volume days
On June 21, 2023, BCEHS recorded 221 calls for overdose/poisonings, the highest call volume day so far and the fifth over 200 to date.
Total Card 23 (overdose/poisoning) calls
- June 21, 2023: 221
- June 23, 2023 210
- June 22, 2023: 209
- March 22, 2023: 205
- Jan. 19, 2022: 203
Historic average calls/day by month since 2000
- Through the first five months of 2023, the average daily calls per day is over 100 for the first time ever, with a new daily call average high set in April at 120 calls/day.
- Since January 2020, there has been a steady increase in year over year averages of daily calls by month:
- In January 2020, BCEHS averaged 59.3 Card 23 calls per day. By contrast, those totals were much higher in the previous three January averages:
- January 2021 (76.2)
- January 2022 (98.2)
- January 2023 (97.9)
2023 - Average calls/day by month
- January: 97.9
- February: 103.8
- March: 118.4
- April: 120.0
- May: 115.9
2022 - Average calls/day by month
- January: 98.2
- February: 97.3
- March: 96.2
- April: 99.6
- May: 98.2
- June: 94.3
- July: 90.4
- August: 89.6
- September: 88.3
- October: 84.7
- November: 85.3
- December: 84.8
2021 - Average calls/day by month
- January: 76.2
- February: 81.9
- March: 81.8
- April: 91.9
- May: 96.0
- June: 100.6
- July: 116.3
- August: 112.6
- September: 106.9
- October: 105.0
- November: 103.5
- December: 95.8
2020 - Average calls/day by month
- January: 59.3
- February: 59.2
- March: 63.1
- April: 71.9
- May: 74.9
- June: 79.0
- July: 87.3
- August: 76.5
- September: 81.0
- October: 83.3
- November: 76.7
- December: 74.9