Members of Ambulance New Brunswick, St. Stephen Fire, and New Brunswick RCMP all found themselves at St. Stephen’s lone shelter Sunday night responding to a surge of drug overdoses.
“There were nine people affected by the incident last evening, six of them were taken to Charlotte County Hospital for further treatment,” St. Stephen Mayor Steve Backman tells CTV Atlantic. “[It] involved a number of ambulances, I think five in total. That is pretty much our county allocation for ambulance so the concern there is we’re tying up a lot of valuable resources for one incident.”
The shelter, called the Lighthouse Lodge, is operated by local non-profit Neighbourhood Works.
In a statement from the organization, the group did not specify how many overdoes happened Sunday night. They did say over the past weekend there has been an increase in overdose incidents, several of which needed urgent assistance.
“We recognize how frightening and traumatic these experiences can be, for those directly affected, for the people who care about them and for the community members who witness them,” the statement reads in part.
“Several individuals were transported to hospital and subsequently released. We are deeply relieved that those affected have returned to the shelter, and our priority remains their health, safety, and well-being; as well as those suffering from substance abuse disorder outside of the shelter’s clientele.”
Neighbourhood Works, Horizon Health Network nor any of the first responders were able to say what substance or substances is leading to the overdose, but are actively working to determine the bad batch.
Mayor Backman says the situation is very concerning, especially given the fact the drug supply seems to be getting more toxic over time. He says more wrap-around services and mental health counselling are needed to help address the issues in his community.
“I spoke with the [Charlotte County Hospital], and they managed very well last night,” Backman says. “But I think the issue for them is what happens the next time, and do we have the resources.”
At the time he spoke with CTV, Backman hadn’t yet spoken with Neighbourhood Works but planned to do so. He also said the town will be meeting with officials from Social Development before the end of the month in hopes of finding solutions.
Health Minister John Dornan wasn’t aware of all the specifics of the incident in St Stepen when asked at a health announcement in Fredericton, but did say volunteer firefighters are asking for more supports when it comes to responding to overdose calls.
“We’re looking at that because many firefighters have to deal with emergency health care issues and concerns, and sometimes they do not feel that they have the tools to do that,” says the minister. “So, that’s under active consideration.”
Neighbourhood Works says if anyone knows of someone who may be at risk of an overdose to take time to check in with them and remind them of the dangers that come with an unpredictable drug supply.
“Encourage them not to use drugs alone, and if you witness a suspected overdose, call 911 immediately,” the organization says. “Your actions could save a life.”
“The events of the past week are a reminder that this issue is real, urgent, and affecting our community.”
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