Police See Increase In Drug Overdose Calls

An increase in drug overdose calls has prompted the Saint John Police Force to issue a public safety alert.

Police say drug overdose calls were up 30 per cent in the first four months of this year compared to last year.

The force said it has also seen a “noticeable” increase in the number of calls over the past week or so.

Officers responded to about 18 drug overdose calls over a one-week period from April 23 to 30 — about three times the number of calls from the week before.

“In at least 8 of these cases, fentanyl was suspected as being the substance used,” police said in a news release Wednesday.

Police said while this represents a small sample size, it could also indicate there is a more potent or dangerous substance currently circulating in the community.

“We all recognize that homelessness, poverty, mental health and substance dependency are significant issues in our community and that they are complex social issues that require solutions from many stakeholders, not just the police,” the force said in its release.

Chief Robert Bruce will host a roundtable with numerous groups and government officials this month to begin discussions on how to best respond to these issues.

Public Safety Alert – Drug overdose callshttps://t.co/xkVeVU9tT4 pic.twitter.com/n4uQSHUdLZ

— Saint John Police (@saintjohnpolice) May 4, 2022