Winnipeg police officer taken to hospital over suspected fentanyl exposure

A Winnipeg police officer was taken to hospital this month after accidental exposure to fentanyl, according to the Winnipeg Police Association.

Maurice Sabourin said the male officer came into contact with what they believe was the deadly drug while processing an exhibit at police headquarters. The drug wasin a liquid form and some of it absorbed into the officer's skin, Sabourinsaid.

"Fortunately he's OKand he's recovered," Sabourin said. "This is just another example of how police work has become that much more complex and that much more dangerous for our members."

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A spokesperson for the Winnipeg Police Service declined to comment on the incident. The force's roughly 450 front-line officers are in the process of receiving training and protective equipment such as respirators and potentially naloxone, a medication used to reverse overdose effects, Sabourin said. In the meantime, he said officersare doing thebest they can to keep safe but the risk is real.

"It can be inhaled and it can be absorbed through the skin so there are many ways members can accidentally be affected by the drug and it is so lethal that it takes a very minimal amount to cause a respiratory arrest," he said.

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Following five overdose deaths in a week in Winnipeg,Sabourinsaidit's clear the fentanylcrisis is not slowing down. He saidofficers are encountering the deadly drug daily and with the police budget limited to a one per cent increase over last year, Sabourin is concerned.

"The fentanyl epidemic that we're seeing right now is an additional draw on our members. The time that we have to take when we go to those calls. The precautions that we have to take," he said.

Mayor Brian Bowman saidthe police budget increase is now tied to the rate of inflation on the recommendation of the police board. However, on Monday the mayor hintedmore will be done in the coming weeks to better protect the city's frontline workers.