RCMP are raising the alarm about a growing threat on the streets of St. Albert, one that can only be countered through education and action.
Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that is threatening lives. Last week St. Albert RCMP felt compelled to send out a news release to raise awareness of the issue, following six overdoses in a 10-day period.
“We are very concerned that if somebody was to take fentanyl and was not in a place where they were quickly found we may have some people dying from this,” Cst. Laurel Kading told the Gazette.
Province-wide, there were 274 deaths associated with the drug last year and 157 through the first half of 2016. Hundreds of people have overdosed and the problem doesn’t show any signs of going away any time soon.
Fentanyl is a powerful drug – 100 times more toxic than morphine. Because it’s so strong, it is popular for dealers because it is easier to transport. But its strength also makes it deadly. Kading said that the drug is so potent that “in pure form fentanyl is toxic in an amount that is equivalent to two grains of salt.”
Naloxone kits can stop an overdose and can be picked up at 14 pharmacies and walk-in clinics in St. Albert for free and without a prescription; these kits are important tools when you know someone is using the drug. In the event of an overdose, these kits can save lives because quick action is critical.
Alberta Health Services also offers free treatment through its mental health and addictions office in St. Albert, for those dealing with drug addiction. For many of us who don’t know anyone using fentanyl, the best option is to spread awareness of the drug and not make it a taboo topic.
St. Albert isn’t the only community affected by fentanyl, but any progress to be made locally must come from its citizens. We need to have conversations about the drug and raise awareness of the dangers. It doesn’t do any good to believe that no one you know will ever be affected by fentanyl; users of the drug have come from every social class.
While many who have overdosed are repeat users, anyone who uses the drug – even one time – are at risk. Other street drugs may be laced with fentanyl and in some cases this has resulted in overdoses.
PFLAG (formerly called Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) held an awareness talk about fentanyl last month and more forums of this kind are needed. The issue won’t be going away any time soon and knowledge is an important part of prevention. Parents need to talk with their children, but adults need to hear the message as well: Fentanyl is potent, deadly and becoming more widespread every day.
