Pubdate: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Page: A4 Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html Website: http://www.theprovince.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Frank Luba Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Insite (Insite) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Supervised Injection Sites) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Downtown+Eastside OVERDOSES SPIKE AT SUPERVISED SITE Suspicion That Death of Woman Is Linked to Potent Heroin Hasn't Yet Been Confirmed There were 21 overdoses Sunday and Monday at Insite, the supervised drug-injection facility in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Gavin Wilson, a spokesman for Coastal Health, revealed the count Monday after the Vancouver police had issued an alert Sunday that indicated there had been about 12 overdoses and one death believed to be related to potent heroin. But the statement from cops also noted the exact cause of the woman's death had to be confirmed by the B.C. Coroners Service. Wilson said 16 overdoses occurred through the evening Sunday with another five occurring Monday through to midafternoon. He said the recent spike in overdoses at Insite was "a very high number." So far through 2014, Wilson said the overdose rate averaged 10 to 12 a week, so 16 in one day was unusual. There has never been an overdose death at Insite, he said. "Heroin overdoses don't need to be fatal," said Wilson. "They're reversible if caught in time." A drug called Naloxone is used to counter the effects of heroin. Hugh Lampkin, president of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU), said his group was notified about the potent heroin Sunday and, like other agencies in the area, is spreading the news. There's also some conjecture about the problem. "I think right now the consensus is that it's probably laced with Fentanyl," said Lampkin. Fentanyl is an opiate used for chronic pain and is often administered through patches. But Fentanyl is also stronger than heroin, which could explain the overdoses. Wilson said the cause for the overdose, whether it's Fentanyl, some other agent or just potent heroin, hasn't been determined. Police are advising users not to consume drugs by themselves and to use Insite. But not everyone can get to Insite, according to Lampkin. "Insite is all right, but it's not the magic bullet," he said. Some drug users are "red-zoned" or banned from the area around Insite by police, said Lampkin. Others stay away because of conflicts with other users or staff. There can also be lineups. "One time a girl came and told me there were 44 people in front of her," said Lampkin. That kind of a lineup would represent a considerable wait because users take an average of 15 to 20 minutes each. Some take considerably longer. Another problem is with assisted injection, because some heroin users need help to take their drugs. Staff at Insite are not allowed to aid injections. "What's the use of going there if you can't get the proper help?" said Lampkin. The alternative is to use an alley and get help from whoever is present, although that can lead to robberies. Lampkin said that's a particular problem for women. "They're more likely to have violence perpetrated on them," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard