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.
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MAP posted-by: Richard