Fentanyl has reached the North Island, says Port Hardy RCMP Staff Sgt. Wes Olsen.
“I can confirm that we have been notified on a few occasions over the past month that Narcan was utilized on unconscious patients that were suspected Fentanyl overdoses,” he said, adding the RCMP has been cautioning the public that “Fentanyl has made its way into the North Island communities.”
BC Emergency Health Services Port Hardy Unit Chief Nat Pottage confirmed Olsen’s statement, saying “It is here, we know it’s here — there have been patients that have been given large doses of Narcan in order to be revived, which is indicative of a powerful opiate like fentanyl.”
Pottage cautioned residents not to consume substances alone. “If you suspect someone is suffering the effects of an overdose, don’t wait — call 911 immediately.”
According to a report from the British Columbia Coroners Service, the North Island (which includes Campbell River/Comox) had 16 fentanyl-detected deaths in 2016 and five from January through February so far in 2017.
Regarding fentanyl-related deaths in B.C. overall, the report summarized that:
• There were 139 illicit drug overdose deaths with fentanyl detected from January through February 2017. This is a 90 per cent increase over the number of deaths (73) occurring during the same period in 2016.
• From January to February 2017, fentanyl was detected in 61 per cent of illicit drug overdose deaths (139 of 227).
• Vancouver Coastal Health Authority had the highest number (48) of illicit drug overdose deaths with fentanyl detected from January through February 2017, followed by Fraser Health (39) and Vancouver Island Health Authority (29).
• The Health Service Delivery Areas with the most fentanyl-detected illicit drug overdose deaths from January through February 2017 were Vancouver HSDA (43), Fraser South HSDA (24), and Okanagan HSDA (15). When looking at individual townships over the same time period, the highest numbers of deaths were seen in Vancouver, Surrey, and Victoria.
Fentanyl is a powerful prescription painkiller about 100 times more toxic than morphine. It is now being imported and sold illegally with tragic consequences.
Fentanyl can be mixed with other drugs such as heroin and cocaine. It has been used in tablets made to look like prescription drugs.
Overdoses have occurred where individuals were not aware they were consuming fentanyl.
It is odourless and tasteless, and therefore hard to detect. It is often found in powder, pill, liquid and blotter form. Two milligrams of pure fentanyl (the size of about four grains of salt) is enough to kill the average adult.
Unintentional exposure to pure fentanyl – touching or inhaling – can cause serious harm including death.