A client at Sunshine Coast Health Centre, an addiction-treatment centre south of town on Fleury Road, succumbed to a fatal overdose on Monday, March 7.
The overdose is believed to be linked to fentanyl, a pharmaceutical drug that is cut into street drugs such as cocaine and heroin and has recently become more prevalent in the Powell River area.
Powell River RCMP constable Tim Kenning said that BC Coroners Service is undertaking a toxicology report that should confirm the police’s suspicion that the fatality is linked to fentanyl.
“Once that report comes back, I think we will confirm what we’ve been predicting,” said Kenning, “that fentanyl was involved.”
Despite a number of reports of fentanyl-related overdoses at Powell River General Hospital in recent weeks, Kenning said no other fentanyl overdoses have been reported besides the fatality in the past week.
Kenning said the fatal overdose was difficult for clients of the centre, most of whom are not Powell River residents.
“With the sensitivity of the health services provided there, a lot of people do not want drugs at the centre and they are there to make themselves better and get healthy,” said Kenning. “The centre is currently dealing with that.”
The incident is a stark reminder for drug users to carefully consider all substances before using them, said Kenning.
“That’s the ongoing worry of using drugs obtained illegally,” he said. “You do not know what’s inside of them and what ingredients have been used, as well as what the ramifications on your health would be. Be careful.”
