Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jan 2016
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Damien Wood
Page: 3

DEATHS FROM FENTANYL OUTPACE THOSE FROM HOMICIDES, AUTO WRECKS

More Calgarians lost their lives to fentanyl overdoses last year than
to homicide and fatal traffic collisions combined.

And that is before the final number of deaths linked to the dangerous
street drug in 2015 is even known.

It will be several more months before the final number of
fentanyl-related deaths in the city for the year are made public, but
it was 74 from January to the end of September 2015.

For all of 2015 there were 34 homicides and 23 fatal traffic
collisions.

Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta says the fentanyl scourge showing no
signs of slowing.

"We really want to hit home with our messaging, with regards to how
dangerous fentanyl is," the Calgary police drug unit boss said.

"We are still seeing a regular number of overdoses =C2=85 (the problem)
certainly hasn't gone away in 2016."

Abby, interviewed by Calgary cops for their latest #AskAnAddict
instalment on social media, said she's seen eight people die of
fentanyl overdoses.

She said five of the eight didn't even know they'd taken fentanyl -
she said one died because his marijuana was laced with it.

"If you think for one second that you are invincible you are so sadly
mistaken - it'll take you for a frickin' whirlwind and if you make it
out alive you're god-damned lucky," Abby said.

Schiavetta said as much as the supply of fentanyl is being targeted
the demand also needs to be a focus.

"We're getting tremendous help from our community and that needs to
continue," he said.

"We're working with our partners at all levels in policing and also in
government to ensure that we are trying to deal with this problem as
effectively as possible."

Last Thursday, police busted a suspected trafficker in the city's
northwest, seizing 43 fentanyl pills, cellphones and $1,135 in cash.

Ricardo Esteban Jones, 31, is charged.

"Each pill has the potential to kill someone, so if we got 43 pills
that might not sound like a lot, but that might have saved someone's
life," Schiavetta said.

Abby said she almost died during her own ordeal, but she got
clean.

"I hated every minute of it, but I'm alive =C2=85 I really wanted to be
alive," Abby said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt