Tips on fentanyl dealers may bring $1,000 reward

Fatal overdoses in Windsor-Essex occur at twice the provincial rate

A deadly fentanyl “epidemic” hitting Essex County has prompted Crime Stoppers to launch a reward blitz, guaranteeing $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of anyone peddling the powerful narcotic.

Windsor and Essex County Crime Stoppers said Monday they are offering “guaranteed $1,000 rewards” for tips received up to June 30.

“Fentanyl has become an epidemic in the community and across the province,” said Const. Kristina Gilboe, a Windsor police Crime Stoppers co-ordinator.

“It’s a rising concern in our community.”

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit released a startling report earlier this month revealing that local opioid-related deaths are double Ontario’s overdose death rate.

The report stated there were 10.7 overdose deaths per 100,000 people in Windsor-Essex in 2015. The Ontario rate was 5.1 deaths per 100,000 people. Of the 43 local overdose deaths in 2015, 24 were in Essex County and 19 were in Windsor.

The number of local emergency room visits related to opioids — broken down by gender in the health unit report — has also skyrocketed.

In 2003, there were 32 emergency room visits per 100,000 population for men. By 2015, the number had jumped to 123. For women, the rate jumped from 20 visits per 100,000 people in 2003 to 66 visits in 2015.

Both rates were higher than the provincial average.

“We have listened to the warnings from Windsor and Essex County Health Unit and our board felt it was imperative to ensure this initiative is offered in our community,” said Mike Kelly, vice-president of Windsor and Essex County Crime Stoppers.

The report didn’t give data specific to fentanyl, but police and health officials have cautioned that it is one of the most dangerous.

Fentanyl is an opioid similar to morphine — but 50 to 100 times stronger — that is usually prescribed in patch form for cancer patients and others in severe pain.

But Windsor police have said the newest street version comes in different, more dangerous forms such as powder. If fentanyl powder gets into the air, police said it can be accidentally inhaled or absorbed through the skin, causing an overdose. Even small amounts can slow your heart rate, affect breathing and cause seizures, coma and death.

Police said fentanyl in its solid form is more powerful and volatile than the liquid-infused patch. It is often cut with other drugs like heroin, cocaine and oxycodone, making the combined effect unpredictable.

Last month, border officers on the west coast intercepted a shipment of crystalline fentanyl from China that was addressed to a house in Windsor. The RCMP said the parcel contained 140,000 doses of the drug. Two Windsorites were arrested on several charges including importing an illegal substance.

Gilboe said other Crime Stoppers programs in Ontario have already launched initiatives targeting fentanyl traffickers.

“We felt it was necessary to launch an initiative in our community as well,” she said.

Crime Stoppers, which receives no government or police funding, is raising money for the fentanyl rewards and other programs with a new initiative launched in January.

The organization is asking individuals and businesses to pledge $200 annually for the next five years. Those who sign on will receive a plaque indicating the years they donated. Donors will also receive annual tax receipts.

Since January, said Gilboe, Crime Stoppers has sold 25 of the plaques. “A $1,000 donation to this program is directly supporting Crime Stoppers’ ability to fund initiatives,” she said.

Anyone with information about people trafficking fentanyl can call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 519-258-8477 or go to catchcrooks. com. People interested in buying a plaque to help raise funds can call the Crime Stoppers office at 519255-6700 ext. 4497.