'Noticeable increase' in overdoses in Saint John prompts police warning

Saint John police areseeing a "noticeable increase" in drug overdose calls this year, and especially last week.

In a news release, the force said18 overdoses were reported from April 23 to 30 of this year. The week prior, there were six calls.

"Although this represents a small sample size, it may also be indicative that a more potent or dangerous substance is currently circulating in the community," the news release says.

Eight of the 18overdoses last week are suspected to have been caused by fentanyl, an extremely potent opioid that's made its way to the street supply of drugs in the city.

The force saidit's seen a 30 per cent increase in overdose calls in the first four months of 2022, compared to the same months in 2021.

According to police figures for 2022, there were 20 overdose calls in January, 22 in February, 32 in March and 34 in April.

For 2021, there were 17overdose calls in January, 19in February, 19 in March and 27in April.

Numbers of overdose calls have been steadily increasing. A total of 272 calls were made in 2020 and315 in 2021. The first four months of this year have seen 111 calls.

This is not the first time the Saint John police have warned the public about opioids. On April 7 the force saidcarfentanil was involved in two recent sudden deaths.Carfentanil is estimated to be about10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl.

Finding solution falls on 'not just police'

The release said homelessness, poverty, mental health and addiction are significant problems in the city.

"They are complex social issues that require solutions from many stakeholders, not just the police," the news release said.

The Community Action Group created by police Chief Robert Bruce is hosting a roundtable discussion about this issue this month, the release said.

Police spokesperson Sean Rocca said the discussion won't be public, but "we hope to have more information to share in the future."

Rocca did not say who was invited.

Harms reductions activists have been calling for a safer drug supplyto prevent the increasing number of preventable overdose deaths.

Last week,Julie Dingwell, executive director ofAvenue B, said people who struggling with addictionare at risk of death because of the lack of a safe drug supply and the criminalization of drug consumption.

She and other activists have been saying a solution exists: make it possible and legal to prescribe safe opioidsfor people either diagnosed or undiagnosed with substance use disorder. Decriminalization of drug consumption would also make people more willing to get help.

According to Health Canada, 26,600 people died of opioid toxicity in the last five years. And in the first year of the pandemic, there was a 95 per cent increase in those deaths, with the number staying steady.