Reminder to those using illicit substances
Mission
2023-01-03 14:35 PST
File # Various
This time of year, can, unfortunately, cause an increase in illicit drug consumption, anxiety and metal health related calls for service for some in the population. The following is a list of key points and recommendations when it comes to the use of those substances:
- Fentanyl is a highly potent and addictive synthetic opioid analgesic that is estimated to be up to 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl has legitimate medicinal uses as an anesthetic and for severe pain management and is regulated under the Food and Drugs Act as well as under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- Domestically, illicit fentanyl can be found in powder or liquid form as well as pressed into tablets mimicking the appearance of known pharmaceuticals such as OxyContin.
- The effects of fentanyl are unpredictable. Users have no idea of the level of purity or the potency of what they take. When mixed with antidepressants, fentanyl is potentially lethal
- It is recommended, if you are going to partake in the use of these substances to carry naloxone and don't use alone
- The RCMP has observed a heightened presence of fentanyl in the Canadian illicit market and is taking the appropriate enforcement measures to ensure that Canadians are safe
- The RCMP supports all efforts to ensure that an overdose emergency is dealt with as a health/medical emergency
- Emergency Medical Dispatchers assessing calls no longer call for police assistance in every drug overdose emergency.
- Police are only notified of overdose calls in circumstances where the situation is believed to be dangerous to responders or members of the public, and for suicide attempts (whether drug related or otherwise)
While at this point, the Mission RCMP can't say what exactly the chemical makeup is of the illicit drug supply on any given day, the key point is not to use alone and carry a naloxone kit.
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