Overdose deaths drop, Naloxone use on the rise in 2018
Posted May 11, 2018 05:27:56 PM.
Last Updated May 11, 2018 05:41:05 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Thirteen fatalities so far this year, with The City of Kitchener taking the worst hit.
Those are the latest details from Regional Police, and the new opioid report is a bit of a mixed bag of good and bad news.
On a positive note, there’s been a decrease in local overdoses and deaths compared to the same time last year – but it seems there’s a new drug taking reign on city streets, and it’s 100 times more powerful than fentanyl.
Police say Carfentanil has become much more prevalent, and due to its potency, the use of Naloxone is way up.
So far this year, officers have administered it 11 times – with some victims needing up to three doses. Tragically, two incidents were unsuccessful – but police note the anti-overdosing drug may be turning the tides in the epidemic.
In the first four months of 2018, there have been 156 reported overdoses and 13 deaths – a significant drop from 2017.
There is a disturbing trend though – as most victims are in their late 20s, and many fatalities are happening in homes and apartments.
Police say the drop doesn’t necessarily mean that overdoses are physically decreasing, but it may just be the result of increased Naloxone access within its service, and through community distribution programs.
Justice is also being served, as the WRPS Drugs and Firearms Unit arrested 13 people in the first two months of this year in connection with opioid-related crimes.
In 2017, there were 580 reported overdoses, resulting in 71 deaths.
To help keep these numbers down this year, Police and the Region remain committed to harm reduction and awareness initiatives, and the continued supply of Naloxone kits through provincial funding.
The full 2018 Opioid Report will be presented at a Police Services Board meeting on Wednesday.
