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By Aaron Schulze

Opioid Crisis

Merritt RCMP warns public of higher local overdose numbers in 2021

Apr 14, 2021 | 12:30 PM

MERRITT — Merritt RCMP is informing the public about recent increases in the number of calls for service to police and emergency medical responders regarding potential overdoses.

In the first three months of 2021, B.C. Emergency Health Services received 21 emergency calls for a potential overdose in Merritt. In 2020, there were 56 medical emergency calls for overdose in Merritt, averaging about four to five calls a month.

“In a recent case, our responding officers have used naloxone to save a life,” Merritt Staff Sergeant Major Stephan Drouin said. “But despite our efforts, we know that some overdoses are resulting in fatalities. It is important that if you or someone you witness may be overdosing to please call 9-1-1 immediately for medical assistance.

“We are also asking for public assistant to help curve this alarming issue, if you know anyone who may be selling illegal and harmful drugs in our community, please call police or Crime Stoppers.”

Drouin said it’s unclear whether these cases are due to potentially lethal batches of drugs circulating in the community, or individuals consuming drugs in an unsafe manner.

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Police encourage people to not use drugs alone, to be careful as to how much they use, and to ensure they have a Narcan kit.

Merritt’s Ambulance Station Unit Chief Cathy Lof said the most important thing people can do is not use alone. She added if paramedics are called to respond to a patient overdosing, they have a 95 per cent chance of survival.

Interior Health’s Interim Vice-President of Clinical Operations Roger Parsonage also said the region is seeing higher overdose activity.

“We continue to see unusual drug checking results… particularly the presence of benzodiazepines and illicit fentanyl,” Parsonage said. “If you use drugs, please take steps to be safer. Interior Health provides drug checking services in Merritt through ASK Wellness. Along with regular drug checking, full spectrum checking is available at ASK through a visiting FTIR machine, which uses infrared light to detect a large number of substances.”

Parsonage encouraged anyone who uses to download Lifeguard on their mobile phone. It’s free and will alert medical responders if they are unresponsive after activating the app.