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Doctors in Nelson are concerned at the number of overdoses that have occurred in the past three months leaving people in critical condition.
Interior Health and Nelson Police are urging residents to think twice about using drugs after four critical overdoses have been reported over the last three months.
“This is my third year in Nelson, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Dr. Nic Sparrow, emergency department physician at Kootenay Lake Hospital. “I’ve seen six overdose cases since the end of April, four of them very critical, and that’s just me. That doesn’t include cases that other doctors may have seen.”
The overdoses do not appear to be related to a specific type of drug and there are different contributing factors in the recent overdoses. In many cases, a combination of drugs and alcohol may have led to individuals needing emergency care. Most recent cases involved individuals under 40, but there isn’t a more narrow age range.
With a variety of annual festivals, including the upcoming Shambhala event in early August, police say Nelson is regarded as a party town and that has brought associated drug issues.
“You name it – from acid to crystal meth to cocaine to ketamine – we have seen it in Nelson. More people are using drugs and definitely more people are selling drugs in our community,” said NPD Chief Wayne Holland. “In these recent cases it doesn’t appear to be first-time users and there doesn’t appear to be a specific drug as the cause.”
Police encourage people not to use drugs as the best way to avoid an overdose, but recognize that people will continue to do so regardless of the warnings. The following recommendations are being advised for those who choose to use drugs:
Don’t mix different drugs (including pharmaceutical medications, street drugs, and alcohol)
Don’t take drugs when you are alone
Don’t experiment with higher doses, and start with a small amount
Don’t experiment with higher doses, and take a small sample of a drug before taking your usual dosage.
“We are here to help. We may be called out in these cases, but are not interested in pursuing charges against individual drug users. We want them to get the medical help they need and get it as quickly as possible. 9-1-1 is the best way to make sure that happens,” said Chief Holland.
Interior Health and the police encourage individuals struggling with substance use problems to seek help. There are a variety of supports and services through Interior Health and other agencies.
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