NT RCMP is warning residents about a spike in fentanyl use after two recent overdoses.
The first was on May 28 in Yellowknife; officers and paramedics arrived to find an unresponsive man. According to a police news release, paramedics managed to revive the man who later said he knew he was consuming fentanyl.
The second overdose was on Tuesday in the Sahtú (police did not specify which community). RCMP officers arrived and found a man who has not breathing. Officers administered Naloxone and the man was brought to hospital for additional Naloxone doses. He, too, regained consciousness.
Staff Sergeant Dean Riou is in charge of federal policing for NT RCMP.
He said local RCMP have not seized fentanyl since November 2016.
“To see a resurgence of the drug, with near-fatal consequences, is extremely disappointing,” he said in a statement. “We want to remind people of the danger of using opioids, and other hard drugs that could be mixed with opioids.”
Signs of fentanyl overdose include slow, irregular, shallow breathing, clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, and loss of consciousness.
According to the release, Naloxone kits are available for free at any pharmacy or health centre in the NWT.
Residents should also call 911 to report a possible overdose.
