RCMP deals with China, United Nations as fentanyl deaths surge in Canada

Fentanyl, a painkiller, was responsible for 16 overdoses in Vancouver in one day, and six in one hour.

BC Coroners Service says from January 1 by way of Might 31 of this yr, there have been 54 fentanyl-detected deaths in British Columbia, which means fentanyl was discovered within the autopsy toxicology testing.

A staggering number of fentanyl-related deaths in Canada have health officials recommending authorities collaborate to fight the illegal drug.

Sgt. Lindsey Houghton with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says it’s very hard to stop products from coming in and fentanyl is just like any other drug. “We’re starting to see them more and more not only in urban centre but in the rural areas, the access to Fentanyl or Oxy that might be coated to Fentanyl so it’s life threatening and we’re seeing people die from it”, said Troy Davies with MD Ambulance.

In March, police launched the Know Your Source campaign to warn the public of the dangers of fentanyl and spread out posters like the one below to raise awareness. Jack Bodie was a 17-year-old who took Fentanyl thinking it was Oxycontin.

Vancouver Coastal Health’s Dr. Mark Lysyshyn said they continue to put out the warnings that fentanyl is showing up in all the illicit drugs that can be bought on the street.

RCMP say fentanyl finds its option to the Canadian black market both by way of diversion of pharmaceutical-purpose fentanyl merchandise or smuggling.

Court documents show the B.C. Civil Forfeiture Office is now in court trying to seize $3 million in assets connected to several fentanyl cases.

How you can reply in case of overdose?

If someone is displaying these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and the speedy use of an antidote like naloxone can reverse the consequences of fentanyl.

Users are also encouraged to learn about nalaxone, which is a medication that can save lives during overdoses from opioids.