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

    'The 6' Makes A Fashionable Footprint With New Nike Shoes Inspired By Toronto

    'The 6' Makes A Fashionable Footprint With New Nike Shoes Inspired By Toronto
    The nickname assigned to Toronto by hometown hip-hop star Drake has been stamped on new Nike shoes designed by Canadian Erin Cochrane.

    'The 6' Makes A Fashionable Footprint With New Nike Shoes Inspired By Toronto

    Naked, Distressed Couple Arrested Trying To Flee Police In Sooke, B.C.

    Naked, Distressed Couple Arrested Trying To Flee Police In Sooke, B.C.
    RCMP in that community northwest of Victoria say it happened late Tuesday evening when officers were called about reports of screaming.

    Naked, Distressed Couple Arrested Trying To Flee Police In Sooke, B.C.

    Ombudsman Ends Probe Of 10,500 Complaints Into Hydro One; Loses Oversight

    Ombudsman Ends Probe Of 10,500 Complaints Into Hydro One; Loses Oversight
    TORONTO — Ontario's ombudsman has wrapped up investigations into 10,500 complaints about billing errors at Hydro One, but the provincial watchdog can't look into any more problems at the utility because it's being privatized.

    Ombudsman Ends Probe Of 10,500 Complaints Into Hydro One; Loses Oversight

    B.C. Appeal Court Refuses To Chop Sentence For Randall Hopley Who Abducted 3-year-old Boy

    B.C. Appeal Court Refuses To Chop Sentence For Randall Hopley Who Abducted 3-year-old Boy
    A lower court judge determined Randall Hopley was a long-term offender and handed down a six-year-sentence after 26 months were deducted for time served awaiting trial.

    B.C. Appeal Court Refuses To Chop Sentence For Randall Hopley Who Abducted 3-year-old Boy

    Sentence Upheld For Dangerous Offender Dennis Bragg In Kamloops, B.C., Sex Assault

    Sentence Upheld For Dangerous Offender Dennis Bragg In Kamloops, B.C., Sex Assault
    The B.C. Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed a legal challenge on Friday by Dennis Bragg, who was designated a dangerous offender in March 2013.

    Sentence Upheld For Dangerous Offender Dennis Bragg In Kamloops, B.C., Sex Assault

    Canada's Micronutrient Initiative To Help Health Of UP Women

    Canada's Micronutrient Initiative To Help Health Of UP Women
     Canada's Micronutrient Initiative (MI) will invest (Canadian) $5.5 million (around Rs.28 crore) over the next five years in Uttar Pradesh to improve the nutritional status

    Canada's Micronutrient Initiative To Help Health Of UP Women