Police investigate recent spike in fentanyl overdoses on P.E.I.

No one has died following recentcases of accidental overdoses, but public health and police are onalert as fentanylhas once again turned up on P.E.I.

Fentanyl is a highly potent and potentially deadly opioid that is sometimes detected in illegal drugs.

P.E.I.'sChief Public Health Office released a public health alert late Thursday letting Islanders know that the drug is circulating in the province.

There have been potentially three fentanyl overdoses reported on P.E.I. this week. That includestwo on Wednesday, where Summerside police may have saved a life after they'd administered the opioid antidotenaloxone.

First and foremost we want to make sure people are safe to care for the victims and be sure that they can be treated. Dale Corish, Summerside Police

Naloxone is sold under the brand name Narcan. It's one of several instances already this year where the life-saving antidotewas used by first responders in Summerside.

"Police would recommend anyone who is taking opiates of that sort to make sure they have somebody available who can administer Narcan, and certainly never take drugs like that by yourself," saidSummerside Police's Dale Corish.

"First and foremost we want to make sure people are safe to care for the victims and be sure that they can be treated."

Where to find help

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said she recommends Islanders carry naloxone, and tell others who may be using drugs that naloxone is available for free on P.E.I.

Free naloxone kits are available at several locations across P.E.I. including the needle exchange program.

Remote overdose response services are also available including the National Overdose Response Service and Brave.

PEERSAlliance, the Island harm-reduction group, is now distributing test strips to detect the presence of fentanyl in street drugs.

If you suspect an overdose:

• Call 911.
• Remember the Canadian Good Samaritan law protects people from being charged for simple drug possession, and call 911 if needed.
• Look for slow, shallow breathing and severe sleepiness.
• Call 911 even if naloxone has been administered because it may not be enough to counteract the overdose and only lasts for 20 minutes.