Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Fentanyl Continues To Claim B.C. Lives Despite Education: Police

The Canadian Press, 08 Dec, 2015 11:18 AM
    Vancouver police say too many people are dying from fentanyl-laced drugs, despite ongoing education and awareness campaigns.
     
    Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used to treat pain, and Health Canada says its abuse or misuse, even in small amounts, can cause death.
     
    The BC Coroners Service says fentanyl killed about 90 people in British Columbia between January and August this year.
     
    Sixteen of those deaths were recorded in Vancouver, while 10 died in Surrey, nine in Nanaimo and eight in Maple Ridge.
     
    Vancouver police Sgt. Randy Fincham says fentanyl is imported in powder form, pressed into pills and sold on the streets as counterfeit OxyContin, but it can also be found in heroin and cocaine.  
     
    He says the key to saving lives is continuing to educate users about the drug.
     
    "If they are going to choose to use an illicit drug or an unregulated drug, that they have some safety measures in place," says Fincham. 
     
    "That if there is an overdose or somebody does have an adverse reaction, that they are able to get help right away, have somebody phone 911."
     
    Police in Delta, B.C, issued a warning over the weekend after two people used cocaine and inadvertently overdosed on fentanyl. 

    MORE National ARTICLES

    High Court Agrees B.C. Man's Rights Violated, But Grants Crown Appeal

    High Court Agrees B.C. Man's Rights Violated, But Grants Crown Appeal
    VANCOUVER — A new trial has been ordered for a southeastern B.C. man after the province's highest court overturned a judicial stay of proceedings in a case of criminal negligence causing death.

    High Court Agrees B.C. Man's Rights Violated, But Grants Crown Appeal

    PM Justin Trudeau Said Willing To Look At That Voting Ban For Long-Term Expats

    PM Justin Trudeau Said Willing To Look At That Voting Ban For Long-Term Expats
    In an interview from the U.K., Laura Bailey says she met Trudeau at a reception at the Canadian High Commission on Nov. 25 as he moved through the crowd and shook his hand.

    PM Justin Trudeau Said Willing To Look At That Voting Ban For Long-Term Expats

    Former Tory James Moore Opposed As Next Chancellor Of B.C. University

    The petition, posted Friday by an anonymous senator from the Prince George, B.C.-based university, had topped 1,000 signatures by early Tuesday.

    Former Tory James Moore Opposed As Next Chancellor Of B.C. University

    Governor General David Johnston Calls Arrival Of Syrian Refugees A 'Defining Moment' For Canada

    Governor General David Johnston Calls Arrival Of Syrian Refugees A 'Defining Moment' For Canada
    OTTAWA — Gov. Gen. David Johnston issued a rallying cry Tuesday for Canadians to welcome refugees who are fleeing the conflict in Syria, calling Canada's response to the crisis a "defining moment" for the country.

    Governor General David Johnston Calls Arrival Of Syrian Refugees A 'Defining Moment' For Canada

    Federal Shortfalls On Track To Be $10.8 Billion Bigger Than Forecasts: Watchdog

    Federal Shortfalls On Track To Be $10.8 Billion Bigger Than Forecasts: Watchdog
    The government is on track to deliver annual shortfalls that will be as much as $10.8 billion higher than expected, the parliamentary budget office said Tuesday.

    Federal Shortfalls On Track To Be $10.8 Billion Bigger Than Forecasts: Watchdog

    Canada Rebounds With 2.3 Per Cent Quarterly GDP Growth, But Weakness Persists

    OTTAWA — Canada has climbed out of the recession that nudged the economy into reverse over the first half of 2015 — but a rebound in growth during the third quarter has already shown signs of lost momentum.

    Canada Rebounds With 2.3 Per Cent Quarterly GDP Growth, But Weakness Persists