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Vancouver Island police have advice for drug users

RCMP officers often the frontline of overdose prevention
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A naloxone kit . THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Overdose prevention is primarily the responsibility of Island Health Authority but your local police force plays a part in it as well.

“Unfortunately as police we often see the ultimate negative side to drug use as we are part of the first response group that responds to sudden deaths,” said Campbell River Const. Maury Tyre.

“Personally, I’ve attended two suspected overdose deaths in recent weeks, and it’s heart-wrenching knowing what these people’s families go through with the death of a loved one. Ideally, of course, in a perfect world, we wouldn’t have people using such dangerous illegal substances, but the world is not perfect.”

If you are a user, you can be reminded that there are ways to protect yourself:

  • Never use alone
  • Keep a properly stocked naloxone kit nearby
  • Use your local harm reduction site

“Oftentimes the people who police arrest for selling drugs have addiction issues of their own, but it simply does not excuse their actions. Worse still, these can be the people cutting and preparing the drugs for street-level use, making things infinitely more dangerous.

“When we’re dealing with drugs so powerful that one extra grain could mean the difference between life and death, people need to ask, do I trust the person selling this to me with my life?” Tyre said.

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@AlstrT
editor@campbellrivermirror.com

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Alistair Taylor

About the Author: Alistair Taylor

I have been editor of the Campbell River Mirror since 1989. Our team takes great pride in serving our community.
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