Expert says painkillers are the hallmark drugs of the 2000s

Fentanyl-laced drugs are being blamed for a spike in recent overdose deaths in Kamloops this year.

In January alone, the families of 32 year old Lance Ritchie, 22 year old Ryan Pinneo and 24 year old Ben Coan shared their heartbreaking tales of losing loved ones by accidental drug overdose.

Program Supervisor at the Phoenix Centre’s Osprey House Patrick McDonald says, “sometimes it’s no surprise to us when these deaths occur. Other times it’s a bit of a shock when it just hits intensely and a few people lose their lives. It’s a very sad situation.”

McDonald says, “we’ve certainly noticed more of a prevalence of painkillers being used. Sometimes it’s something they found in a family bathroom. It could be something like Oxycontin, which is a fairly heavy-hitting painkiller.”

McDonald says it’s an alarming and extremely addictive trend that can lead to the purchase of painkillers in an uncontrolled environment, like the street.

When this happens, there is heightened concern about unknown substances in the drugs such as fentanyl, which is 100 times more powerful than morphine.

“Some people who are distributing drugs may see themselves as skilled, when in fact there is still risk. If there is someone who isn’t as technically diligent, or is purposefully changing the drugs for a profit margin, then whoever is purchasing it needs to beware,” says McDonald.

At a school level, the Kamloops-Thompson School Board is well aware of the issue but is actually reporting a drop in the number of student drug and alcohol related incidents.

SD 73 Superintendent Karl de Bruijn says, “drug and alcohol issues in school have gone down on a steady basis. Suspensions have also gone down over the year. Whenever something like this, happens it certainly raises our level of concern and certainly refocuses our energy and resources. We try to make sure students are aware.”

For students struggling with drugs and alcohol, the district says there are resources available.

“We have a contract with the Phoenix Centre to put counselors into our schools. We do have drug and alcohol counselors assigned to schools,” says de Bruijn.

And if they haven’t already, families are encouraged to start dialogues with their children.

“Have some reasonable guidelines in your home. I would prefer to see families where the young people can feel comfortable talking to their parents about drugs,” says McDonald.

by Jessica Lepp

Expert says painkillers are the hallmark drugs of the 2000s

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