National

Vancouver Police Say Rash of Overdoses Linked to Fentanyl, not Heroin

The Canadian Press , 16 Oct, 2014 10:55 AM

VANCOUVER - Police in Vancouver say a potent and potentially lethal drug called fentanyl, not heroin, is behind a rash of overdoses on the city's Downtown Eastside.

Vancouver Coastal Health announced Tuesday that 31 people overdosed during the previous two days at Insite, the city's safe-injection site.

Samples of the drugs responsible for the overdoses were sent to Health Canada and police say they tested positive for fentanyl.

Police are asking drug user to be extremely cautious and not consume drugs alone.

They say drug users should use Insite, which is staffed by medical personnel who can help in the event of an overdose.

Insite is the city's first legal safe injection site and has been credited by Vancouver's chief medical health officer Dr. Patricia Daly with saving lives and reducing the risk of infection from disease like HIV and hepatitis C.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey Mother Charged With Neglect After Toddler Ends Up In Hospital

The mother of a two-year-old child in Surrey, B.C., has been charged with neglecting the toddler. RCMP say they became involved after the child was brought to a hospital.

Surrey Mother Charged With Neglect After Toddler Ends Up In Hospital

Tuition, Books, Mooning? Frosh-week Rituals Can Be Costly in Toronto, Police Warn

A Toronto-area police force is warning students about the hidden cost of some questionable frosh-week rituals such as streaking and putting cement in a public washing machine — both of which carry fines of up to $5,000.

Tuition, Books, Mooning? Frosh-week Rituals Can Be Costly in Toronto, Police Warn

Report Pleads For B.C. Government Funding To Help End Domestic Violence

VICTORIA - A new report that pleads with the B.C. government to invest in the fight against domestic violence highlights a brutal set of statistics in the province for 2014.

Report Pleads For B.C. Government Funding To Help End Domestic Violence

Canada Pension Plan’s Hidden Costs Make It Three Times More Expensive Than Reported

TORONTO - The Canada Pension Plan is hiding the fact that its administrative costs have more than tripled since 2006 because of transaction and external management fees, according to a new report from a conservative think-thank.

Canada Pension Plan’s Hidden Costs Make It Three Times More Expensive Than Reported

Mounties Consider Charges As ATV Crashes Into Okanagan Public Library

VERNON, B.C. - Two women may be facing charges after crashing an ATV into the front window of a public library in the North Okanagan.

Mounties Consider Charges As ATV Crashes Into Okanagan Public Library

Virgin Atlantic Drops Vancouver

VANCOUVER - Virgin Atlantic is dropping its only Canadian destination, Vancouver, when summer seasonal service ends Oct. 11. The service operated five flights per week.