The abuse of opioids including fentanyl is becoming an alarming health concern across the country and has now become an issue here in New Brunswick.
At the urging of federal health officials, the provincial Department of Health has formed a task group with key stakeholders including police, paramedics, primary health care and mental health service providers.
Acting chief medical health officer Dr. Jennifer Russell says the main task group has been subdivided into five other groups.
“Those groups will be addressing personal protective equipment for first responders, communications, resources, treatment and intervention as well as surveillance” she notes.
Statistics show there were 23 opioid overdose-related deaths, three of which were fentanyl-related in New Brunswick last year.
Up until April this year, there have been four opioid overdose deaths, one of which was fentanyl-related.
Dr. Russell adds data on opioid overdoses not resulting in deaths are also being analyzed but the numbers are not ready to be released yet.
(PHOTO courtesy NB RCMP – A pill containing fentanyl recently discovered by Mounties)