RCMP visiting Halifax schools after teen dies of suspected overdose

RCMP have been speaking to staff at schools in the Halifax Regional Municipality about the risks of drug use,after a teenager in the area died of a suspected overdose earlier this month.

Halifax District RCMP's Community Action Response Team has visitedmultiple schools since the boy's deathin Cole Harbour, N.S., on Oct. 15.

"Our hope in general is really to bring awareness to illicit drug use and its dangers," said Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay.

Police have been talking to school administrators about the signs and symptoms of overdoses.

They've also been reminding them about aprogram that offersfree naloxone kits in the province, Tremblay said.

Naloxone, which can counter the effects of certain drugs, isavailable at many pharmacies, support organizations and health-care facilities through the program.

When RCMPresponded to the call in Cole Harbour onOct. 15, they seized a small quantity of unknown substances in pill and powder form. Two other teens were taken to hospital.

"Regardless if it is fentanyl or not, the substances are very dangerous," Tremblay said, adding they will be analyzed in a lab but gettingthe results will take time.

Nonetheless, the message to young people, parents and the community is the same.

"It's a scary situation," Tremblaysaid. "You don't know how potent the drugs are."

Naloxone neededin schools, doctor says

Dr. Mike Gniewek, a family physician who focuses on addiction medicine,shares the same concerns about themarket for illegal drugs.

"The risk to young people is really high,"he said. "The current illicit market is so unknown and so lethal and so dangerous."

A small amount of what looks like a tabletcould be fatalif it's cut withfentanyl and other sedatives, Gniewek said.

Based on preliminary datacurrent toOct. 2, there have been 35 confirmed or probable opioid toxicity deaths reported inNova Scotia so far this year.

The teen's deathwarrants further action, Gnieweksaid, to help save other young people who might be using tainted substances.

That could involve a range of harm reduction initiatives, including making naloxonekits available in schools, he said, "because youth aren't going to pharmacies all the time and they may not think to attend the pharmacy."

Minister of Addictions and Mental HealthBrian Comer confirmed that naloxone isn't routinely available in the province's schools.

There have beenconcerns that making it available could lead to more substance use among young people, but Gniewek said thoseconcernsare unfounded.

"Training to use naloxone and to understand the signs and symptoms of overdose could save somebody's life."

Province updates 'substance use curriculum'

The Nova Scotia government released a statement on Tuesday outliningsome of the measures it is taking.

"We want youth to understand the severe impact drug use can have, know what to look out for and to have a safe place to ask questions," the statement said.

It referred to steps the Office of Addictions and Mental Health is involved in by "leading the development of an updated substance use curriculum for students in grades 6-9 that will aim to prevent the use of many substances, including opioids."

The statementalso mentioned other harm reduction initiatives youth can access,such as needle distribution and disposal services, and overdose prevention sites.Those are supported by Comer's departmentand Public Health.

"Combined, these programs help thousands of people and reduce death and illness," the statement said.

'We're there to save lives'

Information that police are sharing with school staff includes the symptoms to watch for during an overdose, such as reduced breathing or pulse, cold clammy skin, gurgling noises and signs a person is asleep or hard to wake up.

Those are signs people should call 911, administer naloxone if it's available and stay with the person,police said.

There are also legal protections for people who seek help during anoverdose involving illicitdrugs, Tremblay said. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act was introduced in 2017 in an effortto remove barriers in emergency situations.

"We're there to save lives. We're not there to arrest you for simple possession of drugs," hesaid.

RCMP in Halifax speak to students about the dangers of drugs

11 months ago

Duration 2:14

The talks come after a suspected opioid death of a teen in Cole Harbour. Since it happened earlier this month, police have been talking to schools to share what they know about the risk. Gareth Hampshire has the story.