Latest news with #GoodSamaritanDrugOverdoseAct
CBC
29-04-2025
- CBC
Jury makes 39 recommendations after inquest into 2018 death of Brennan Bowley, 23, at Barton jail
Bowley died just after 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2018, inquest held from April 7 to 22 A coroner's inquest into the 2018 overdose death of a 23-year-old man at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre ended recently with the jury making dozens of recommendations to prevent similar deaths at the facility in the future. Brennan Bowley died just after 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2018. His cousin, Maggie Cleland, told CBC News at the time that Bowley had a pouch of cocaine inside his body and it ruptured, causing him to accidentally overdose. "They lacked any kind of medical attention," Cleland said about the centre. "He was asking for help in the holding cell." Hamilton police arrested Bowley on Jan. 16, 2018 while investigating him for drug-related offences. His death was just one of several to happen in the institution in recent years. Last August, the Ontario government announced that inquests will be held for six men who died while in custody or after transfer to hospital from the centre. The inquest was held from April 7 to 22 to examine the circumstances surrounding Bowley's death. The jury's verdict, handed down on April 22, found that Bowley's cause of death was toxicity caused by mixed drugs that included fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, and the manner of death was an accident. The verdict also answered three more questions: Who died? When did they die? Where did they die? In addition to its verdict, the jury made a total of 39 recommendations — five to the Hamilton Police Service (HPS), four to the Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre (HWDC), 29 to the Ministry of the Solicitor General, and a single recommendation to the Office of the Chief Coronor for Ontario, that it "should continue to strive to conduct inquests in a timely manner from the date of death." Jury: Warn suspects of risks of ingesting/secreting illegal drugs Among the recommendations to Hamilton police, the jury suggested that during the booking process into a police station, every individual charged with one or more criminal offences should be verbally cautioned and read a warning of the risks of ingesting and/or secreting illegal drugs and/or substances and the medical consequences of not sharing that information. "Prominently displayed signage to the same effect should be pointed out to the person. The person should be required to acknowledge that they have read the caution, or have had the caution read to them, and that they understand the caution. The time and the fact of the acknowledgment should be documented in the booking arrest form," the recommendation reads. They also recommended that utilizing clear language, notices shall be posted in the courthouse (in an area visible to where prisoners are housed) and police stations in Hamilton providing education pertaining to the protections offered through the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act and the relevant limitations of same. "Said notices should draw attention, thus encouraging their review, perhaps through the use of large font sizes, bolded text, and use of colour," the jury said. Include inmates' health-related observations in medical records To the HWDC, it's recommended that when the HPS transfers custody of an individual to the centre and provides any illness or health-related observations regarding that individual during their time in police custody, "the detention centre shall include those observations in the individual's medical records as part of the admission process to ensure detention centre health-care staff have the best available information available when assessing that individual at the time of admission and at any other time while that individual is in custody (while also ensuring confidentiality of medical information from non-medical staff)." It's also recommended that health-care management of the HWDC shall notify correctional management as soon as it becomes known that a nurse will not be present on any given shift, and applicable policy or policies shall be updated accordingly. The jury recommends to the Ministry of the Solicitor General that during incarceration, health-care staff will continue to educate inmates on how to respond appropriately to potential drug overdose risks and provide awareness of Good Samaritan legislation to encourage timely medical intervention where necessary. "Acknowledgment of these conversations should be documented within healthcare staff's records," the recommendation reads. "The Ministry shall develop a set list of questions about whether an individual being admitted to the detention centre has ingested drugs or inserted drugs into their body, and health-care staff shall be required to ask these questions of all individuals being admitted to the detention centre, regardless of whether health-care staff suspect such individuals have ingested or inserted drugs. "The Ministry should continue to explore how to optimize health-care staffing levels at all institutions with the goal of 24-hour nursing care coverage as well as ideally having more than one nurse on shift at any given time at the HWDC," the jury continued. Inquests are called by a coroner after a death to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future. A jury can recommend procedures for governing bodies to adhere to, though they are under no obligation to do so.
CBC
10-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
RCMP warning of counterfeit Dilaudid, Xanax amid spate of youth overdose deaths
Police are warning about what they're calling "dangerous counterfeit pharmaceutical substances." The recently seized substances, which the RCMP say contain non-medicinal drugs, are being sold as Xanax and Dilaudid. The counterfeit drugs were seized in recent drugs overdose investigations. A press release from the RCMP Thursday said the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed "a number" of deaths from ingesting these substances, including youth. The RCMP told CBC News that the source of the substances is still under investigation, but "certainly purchasing these products from the black market online is possible." Xanax — or benzodiazepine — is medically prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, but the recently seized counterfeit was made of bromazolam, methamphetamine and MDMA. The release said, "this combination can lead to respiratory depression and coma." The counterfeit Dilaudid was composed of protonitazine, an opoid 20 times more potent than fentanyl. Real Dilaudid contains hydromorphone, and is commonly prescribed as a painkiller. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said last month that fake Dilaudid was connected to a sudden death in Newfoundland and Labrador. Police are encouraging families to speak with their children about the dangers of substance use, and are reminding the public that naloxone kits are free of cost and readily available across the province. Naloxone kits effectively and temporarily reverse opioid overdoses, but not overdoses caused by other substances. Police encourage anyone witnessing a potential drug overdose to call 911. "Residents are reminded of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, which offers some legal protections to those experience or witness a drug overdose death," the release said.
CBC
16-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
With overdoses on the rise in Prince Albert, police want people to know what one looks like
Social Sharing Prince Albert police are warning the public about potentially fatal fentanyl circulating in the city. Police said in a release Saturday that they are currently investigating multiple overdoses involving fentanyl that took place late Friday and Saturday. In recent weeks, Saskatoon has also been reporting high overdose rates with a higher risk of death. At the beginning of March, the city recorded 37 overdoses in just 24 hours. Those numbers have been high enough to prompt the province to open an emergency operations centre. Prairie Harm reduction confirmed to CBC that drugs in Saskatoon with dangerous levels of fentanyl are being blamed for a higher risk of overdoses and deaths. Recognizing the signs of an overdose As more overdoses occur, Prince Albert Police are urging people to familiarize themselves with the signs of an overdose. Some of the signs of an overdose include: Difficulty walking, talking or staying awake. Blue, purple or grey lips or nails. Very small pupils. Cold and clammy skin. Dizziness and confusion. Extreme drowsiness. Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds. Slow, weak or no breathing. Police also want to remind people about the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, which serves to provide some legal protection for those who experience or witness an overdose and seek emergency help. Police are urging people to call 911 if they suspect someone has experienced an overdose.
Associated Press
07-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Statement from the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health on the toxic illegal drug supply and overdose crisis
OTTAWA, ON, March 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada is facing a tragic public health crisis that has left no community untouched. The toxic drug and overdose crisis is being driven by a dangerous, illegal drug supply. The devastating impacts are seen and felt among our families. Every loss of life to this crisis has a tragic impact on friends, families, and communities. The national data released today shows a 12% decrease in overdose deaths. Deaths from January to September 2024 were lower than the same period in 2023. This is the third quarterly release in a row that shows a decreasing trend. There are several factors that could be contributing to this reduction, including expanded naloxone distribution. Naloxone kits have successfully reversed thousands of overdoses across Canada. It is important that Canadians can access naloxone and know when and how to use it. This reduction can in part be attributed to a wide-range of investments to directly address this public health crisis. Prevention, education, and awareness efforts are an important part of our approach to addressing it. The Know More Opioids campaign is educating and engaging young people on the risks of opioid use, how to use naloxone, and the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act. To assist municipalities and Indigenous communities in rapidly responding to their urgent needs, we are providing $150 million through the Emergency Treatment Fund. The fund will provide for a wide range of urgent interventions to bolster local capacity to support the most affected communities. All orders of government must work together to ensure health and social supports are available – so people get the help they need. We must continue to invest in comprehensive action including prevention, harm reduction, enforcement, and treatment and recovery. Addiction may look different for everyone. People who are struggling must have access to a range of health care supports and services. To address this crisis, we need to tackle the problem from all angles. All order of government and communities need to work together on multi-faceted solutions that connect people to care and protect our communities. While the decreases we are seeing are encouraging, we will continue to monitor the trends closely and adapt our response to this crisis to protect the health and safety of our communities. The Honourable Ya'ara Saks, P.C., M.P.
