“Over the past few months, our numbers continue to worry us,” said Dr. Sandra Allison, Island Health medical health officer in the central region. “They are not improving.” More than 7,000 British Columbians have died in the five years since the public health emergency was declared. There were 1,716 illicit drug deaths last year, and almost 70 per cent of those dying were aged 30 to 59. Males accounted for 81 per cent of deaths. The health authority is urging drug users — especially in Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox Valley and Campbell River — to use strategies to stay safe when using and to reach out to others, especially men, who are dying in the highest numbers, to talk about safer drug use.