After lethal summer, N.L. set to surpass last year's drug-related deaths record
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Nash Denic warns of crisis on horizon
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Nash Denic says there have already been 23 drug-related deaths in Newfoundland and Labarador this year, and with more than three months left in 2023, he warns that number is only going to increase.
That means Newfoundland and Labrador is set to exceed last year, when there were 23 drug-related deaths.
"That means we're going to be definitely seeing [an] increased number," Denic told CBC News.
According to a statement from Denic's office, there were 17 deaths related to cocaine use and six related to fentanyl. The figures run from Jan. 1 to Sept. 21.
This past summer saw a spike of 11 drug-related deaths, which some people feared was a result of fentanyl-laced cocaine.
However, according to numbers released by Denic's office, fentanyl was found in about a quarter of those who died.
"Cocaine is the main killer," Denic said.
"And we see this year, more mix of cocaine with fentanyl, not necessarily meaning that the cocaine was contaminated with fentanyl."
Moreover, he said there are new drugs arriving that are related to fentanyl, and people might not be aware of exactly what drugs they are taking. A new group, the synthetic opioid called nitazenes, are 20 times more potent than fentanyl, he added. There have been a few cases in N.L. already.
"But the people taking the drugs on the streets, they must be aware they might not be taking what they are looking for," Denic said.
Naloxone — which is used for opioid overdoses, and for which there has been a recent public push to increase access and training — will not help with a cocaine-related overdose, he said.
"We still don't have [an] epidemic in Newfoundland. However, I still believe that one life is too many given to the drugs. As such, we cannot be blaming fentanyl possibly contaminated cocaine."
Denic hopes interviews will raise awareness of this issue and curb the problem.
"We are speaking to the government as well and the Public Health Agency [of Canada]. We are reporting … our data and there's a big initiative."
However, he said, sometimes it takes too long for vital information to reach people who need to hear it.
Harm reduction activist speak out
Harm reduction activists have been keeping a close but wary eye on the drug supply issues in N.L. and expecting the issues facing Western Canada to reach here eventually.
"We've seen deaths related to drug use but it … hits, I think, maybe extra hard right now," said Safe Works Access Program manager Emily Wadden.
"Because now we've very much … joined the rest of Canada,"
After the cluster of deaths in July, she added, it seemed like the province had been "drowning" in deaths, in part because people became more aware of the issue.
It's become an increasingly pertinent topic in the public eye. Last month, approximately 100 people staged a protest at Confederation Building in St. John's, demanding more action from the government.
Wadden said she was surprised by the relatively low number of deaths related to fentanyl this year. However, she said the numbers don't mention if fentanyl derivatives, such as carfentanil, were tested for.
Harm reduction consultant Tree Walsh said while some people think they're safe if they use cocaine, the numbers show that people can still overdose on it.
There were five fentanyl-related deaths last year, said Denic, and this year there have been six. Walsh also has her eye on the rising presence of fentanyl in the provincial drug supply.
"We predicted that fentanyl-laced cocaine would be coming because the activity spreads from west to east in this country," said Walsh.
What can be done
Walsh said there's no political will to tackle the issue.
Both Wadden and Walsh — who was a SWAP founder — believe in destigmatizing drug use and providing safe spaces for people to use drugs.
Wadden said the underlying issue is drug toxicity. There are a number of solutions she'd like to see, she said, including multiple overdose prevention sites and a safe supply of prescribed replacement drugs.
Wadden also argued for the legalization of all drugs, which would help ensure the drug supply doesn't get contaminated.
"People who use drugs are literally everywhere. Like, they are your friends and family. They are … folks that you interact with every day, personally, professionally," said Wadden.
"Safety is the top priority. Period. And nobody deserves to die because they use drugs."
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Carolyn Stokes
