Troy Shantz
At least eight people in Sarnia have suffered a drug overdose since Friday and three of them are dead, city police said today.
“This is an ongoing problem; it’s not like it’s unusual to have overdoses,” said Const. John Sottosanti.
“But to have so many since Friday, that’s peculiar. And these are (only) the ones we actually know about.”
Police suspect an extremely potent or bad batch of fentanyl is responsible, Sottosanti said.
Opiate drug use seems to be on the rise, said Const. Shawn Urban, a drug recognition enforcement officer with Sarnia Police.
Many of the impaired driving charges laid in September and October were opiate-related, he said.
“It was probably the most in a six-week span that I’ve done in a long time,” Urban said. “With the exception of one, they were all opiates.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many people out of work and with little to do. Some residents are using government support payments to self-medicate with illicit substances, Urban said.
Police and health officials say opioid users should have the anti-overdose drug Naloxone on hand and be near someone who can administer it.
Legislation called the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects anyone who calls for assistance at the scene of a drug overdose. The law is intended to prevent bystanders from fleeing to avoid arrest, Sottosanti said.
“Under the Good Samaritan act … you are protected because you called 911 for help.”
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever that’s 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Even a very small amount can cause death.
“We know it’s coming in but we just can’t stop it,” Sottosanti said.
“No matter where we plug the hole, another hole will pop up. That’s the problem — how do we stop the traffickers?”
Lambton Public Health has distributed 1,400 Naloxone kits already so far this year, said family health manager Kevin Churchill.
“It’s fair to say that with the pandemic we are aware that there’s an increase in use of various substances, unfortunately.”
The health unit issued an advisory today urging anyone who uses street drugs, especially opioids, to have a friend and Naloxone nearby.
“Please stay with the victim and be ready to advise paramedics what the individual has taken,” it states. “Providing these details supports treatment and all individuals are protected under the Good Samaritan’s Act.”
Free Naloxone kits are available from Lambton Public Health, local pharmacies and community health centres.