Pubdate: Mon, 25 Jul 2016
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Nick Eagland
Page: A3

SURREY READIES FOR OVERDOSE SURGE

'WELFARE WEDNESDAY': Advocates say arrival of cheques will bring more
drug-fuelled medical emergencies

Support workers are bracing for the worst when welfare payments arrive
on Wednesday, after a recent rash of drug overdoses in Surrey.

On July 17, Fraser Health Authority issued a warning after there were
36 drug overdoses in Surrey within 48 hours. Many of those who
overdosed reported they had used crack cocaine. But some cases turned
up traces of fentanyl - a potent, synthetic opioid sometimes added to
street drugs and blamed for the surge in deaths that led to the
provincial health officer declaring a public health emergency in April.

Most who overdosed in mid-July were in the Whalley neighbourhood, said
Dr. Victoria Lee, chief medical health officer for Fraser Health.
Whalley is home to "The Strip," a stretch of 135A Street between 106th
and 108th avenues where drug users and homeless gather near support
services.

Ron Moloughney, president of the Surrey Area Network of Substance
Users, said his team has been in the area doing outreach and working
to ensure more people have access to the overdose-reversing drug
naloxone, so there won't be "a bunch of bodies in the street" on Wednesday.

"Last week, it was pretty chaotic and it wasn't even welfare
Wednesday, so I'd imagine this Wednesday coming up is going to be
crazy because everyone's going to have money and they're going to be
millionaires for a day," Moloughney said.

"A lot of people OD because they don't know what they're buying.
They're in a hurry, right? They don't inspect what they're buying and
they come back here and use it."

A recent study led by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control looking at
income-assistance payments and overdose deaths found there were 40 per
cent more overdose deaths, on average, during cheque weeks compared to
non-cheque weeks. The researchers also found "consistent increases in
mortality" the day after cheques were distributed.

"You've got welfare Wednesday coming up on the 27th ... all the
intravenous drug users are going to be all moneyed up, ready to go
again and what's going to happen?" said Shayne Williams, executive
director of Lookout Emergency Aid Society. "There's going to be a rash
of overdoses and chances are, somebody's going to die."

Williams said Lookout, which operates housing and support services in
Metro Vancouver and Abbotsford, wants immediate interventions by
Fraser Health and government.

Williams said he's pleased Fraser Health is looking at establishing
supervised drug use sites in the region but said he's a "little
frustrated" there hasn't been more government action to house homeless
in Surrey.

"There's more open drug use and needles and stuff in the community
because we haven't been proactive," Williams said.

"Anything else, it doesn't matter - if we knew that a British
Columbian was going to die at this location, on this date, a week in
advance, we'd do something about it. Why aren't we doing something
about it in Surrey for the addictions, for the people? We know the
drugs are tainted."

Lee said that following the recent spike in overdoses, Fraser Health
devised a plan with police, fire, emergency services and community
partners for income-assistance payment week.

Extra staff will be on hand and communication and outreach efforts
will be stepped up.

"We have been having almost daily calls since that time and are
preparing for the Tuesday before and Wednesday as well, because
sometimes we see an earlier spike," Lee said.

Lee said Fraser Health has drastically increased its naloxone training
and distribution: Between January and May, there was a 10-fold
increase region-wide in take-home naloxone kit distribution, with 857
kits handed out. Lee wants to remind drug users, their friends and
families - including those who live outside the Whalley area - that
kits are available at many pharmacies across the region.

There were 44 illicit-drug overdose deaths in Surrey by June 30 this
year, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.
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