Pubdate: Fri, 17 Jul 2015
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Nick Eagland
Page: 3

WARNING ISSUED AFTER RASH OF DRUG OVERDOSES

Surrey RCMP have issued a warning after at least eight people fell
victim to drug overdoses in the city within a 24-hour period.

Drug users immediately showed signs of overdose after apparently
ingesting heroin, according to a release. In at least three cases,
"extreme life-saving measures" had to be used. The victims are
recovering in hospital.

Police said the users believed they were buying heroin, but
investigators can't yet say what the drug was.

"Surrey RCMP are concerned for those who participate in the activity
of using street-level drugs and especially heroin and are warning them
of this current danger," police said.

Hugh Lampkin of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users said he
suspects fentanyl is to blame.

In the past year, VANDU has dealt with several outbreaks of heroin
being cut with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid.

"Especially in the Downtown Eastside, the number of people who have
died down here, it's ridiculous," Lampkin said. "People are just
dropping like flies."

Lampkin said greedy dealers looking to increase profit are passing off
fentanyl as heroin or other opiates to unwitting users who are often
young or new to drugs.

Cpl. Scotty Schumann said fentanyl is "a suspect only at this point"
in the investigation and RCMP have seized a sample for analysis.

In March, police and health officials released a warning prompted by a
surge in fentanyl-related overdose deaths. The B.C. Coroners Service
reported that in 2014, fentanyl was a contributing factor in 29 deaths
in Vancouver, 18 deaths in Nanaimo and 15 deaths in Surrey.

VANDU recommends users educate themselves about where to access
naloxone, which can counter the effects of opioid overdose.
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