FENTANYL FOUND TO BE IN STREET DRUGS

A public health notice has been issued in Millbrook following recent hospitalizations related to fentanyl detected in some street drugs, Chief Bob Gloade says.

“ ere’s cocaine with fentanyl and there’s also Percocet with fentanyl as well,” he said. “It’s a serious concern. It’s a real safety issue because fentanyl is fatal and it can and will lead to death, with any amount of it. It’s not something that can be taken lightly and that’s why I put the health notice out.”

Gloade said a recent death is also being investigated by the RCMP as having potential fentanyl connections. But he said no further information could be provided at this point because of the investigations. e individuals who were hospitalized were from outside the community. It’s suspected they came into contact with the drug during a house party in Millbrook, the chief said.

And while presence of fentanyl in local street drugs has been suspected for some time, Gloade said, it was only con rmed to him last Friday by the health authority.

“It’s taken very seriously in our community and something I consider is a high priority to make everybody aware of,” he said.

The health notice put out by Millbrook describes fentanyl as a “powerful pain medication” and an opioid drug that can be up to 100 times more powerful than morphine.

“A very small amount of fentanyl can cause overdose or death,” the notice says.

Gloade said anyone purchasing illegal street drugs should take note of the fact that fentanyl could be present and they should take the precaution of obtaining a free naloxone kit from a pharmacy or the Millbrook medical centre.

Naloxone is a drug used to counter the e ect of opioids.

“It’s buyer beware, basically,” he said.

Gloade said he has also notified the 13 other First Nation bands in Nova Scotia about the fentanyl issue in his community.