Abbotsford Police Highlights ‘Concerning’ Increase in Heroin Overdoses

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Local police of Abbotsford has highlighted an observance of significant increase in “concerning” case of heroin overdoses in the Fraser Valley community. Const. Ian MacDonald mentioned in an official press release that “while the exact numbers are still being gathered, the increase in calls for assistance related to these medical emergencies could be as high [as] 39 per cent.” Authorities were able to still point out that an alarming number of seven people have overdosed on heroin since mid-May. He raised concerns about complaints from drug users regarding the potency of heroin that’s currently being bought, sold and used.

Mr. MacDonald elucidated that one of the primary reason for the heroin’s increased potency, and consequently its overdose, is a subsequent effect of unusual amount of fentanyl present in the drug. He mentioned that the dangerous painkiller is exponentially more powerful than heroin and hence is the root cause of increasing number of overdose deaths in B.C. in May.

Provincial health officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, cautioned drug users that opioid users might not be aware of the drugs presence and might be under the impress that it’s only heroin or oxycodone because they cause almost same symptoms, even though fentanyl is much more likely to cause an overdose. MacDonald cautioned that “heroin users should never shoot up when they are alone and are urged to call immediately for medical attention if they feel unwell, or believe the may be having adverse effects after using.”