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Maria Weisgarber
Multi-skilled journalist, CTV News Vancouver
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Vancouver –
12 fatal hours in Surrey led to an urgent warning from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Three people have died from suspected overdoses, possibly a toxic combination of street drugs.
Corporal. Elinor Storko told CTV News that it is not uncommon to see three deaths potentially related to drug use in such a short period of time..
While the cause of death has not been officially confirmed, Storko said initial indications are drug presence.
Two of these deaths occurred in residences, one in South Surrey, and one in Newton. « Unfortunately, one of them fell into the stairwell, » she said.. « This can affect anyone.
In October, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police of Surrey sent another warning after five people were found overdosed at the home, and were revived..
« We want to make sure that people in the community here and in the larger community know that there is a possibility that there are some drugs that are more effective or more toxic than the usual drugs currently in circulation, » said Storko.
On Thursday afternoon, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced that they had arrested a 19-year-old man in Langley and had seized multiple doses of drugs « believed to be related to a recent overdose in the city. ». .
Officers confiscated the blue and purple fentanyl, which the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said believed to be fatal, and warned users not to consume it.. Crack cocaine and crystal meth were also seized.
B. C. Chief forensic pathologist, Lisa La Pointe, said they are seeing more extreme concentrations of fentanyl in their autopsy results..
« This is a relatively new thing in 2020, » La Pointe told CTV News, adding that the high toxicity is « definitely » one of the factors contributing to the increase in deaths in the county this year..
She cited the buffer effects of the pandemic as another factor, along with reduced access to sites for safe consumption, naloxone, and drug testing.. .
« So all the harm reduction measures that were really supporting people to survive were affected, » she said..
La Pointe noted that the high toxicity of illegal street drugs is also believed to be linked to the epidemic.
« It is very likely that its source has changed as a result of disrupted supply chains, » Labointe said.. “2020 will probably be the worst year b. C. Ever in terms of loss of life due to supplies of toxic drugs.
As of September, there were just over 1,200 people in B.. C. He died of illegal drug overdoses this year, according to a coroner’s statistic. Fentanyl was detected in about 80 percent of those deaths.
« Every one of those numbers is someone who has family, friends, and in fact from all walks of life in this county, » La Pointe said, making a plea for more safe access to drugs for those addicted.. They need these materials, and they will die if they continue to buy them on the illegal market.
La Pointe also said that it’s not just fentanyl, but other drugs that are mixed as well that increase the risk.
« Fifty percent of those who die also have cocaine in their systems, » said La Pointe, adding other substances they find include benzodiazepines, methamphetamine and amphetamines.. . “It’s a really toxic combination of drugs, and that sometimes makes it very difficult to reverse an overdose.
Laboint requires those using the substances to do so only in the company of someone who can administer naloxone and call 911.. Corporal. Sturko echoed the call.
She said, « Please don’t use it alone. ». Please reach Narcan, and if you or someone close to you is in medical distress, do not hesitate to call for assistance.
Sari, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, drug overdose
World News – California – Coroner says 2020 could become B. C. Worst year for overdose deaths, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Surrey sent a new warning
Ref: https://bc.ctvnews.ca
