Fentanyl use 'great cause for concern' in Yukon, says territory's top doctor

Yukon's top doctor says the territory is at about "the same level" as other parts of Canada when it comes to fentanyl-related deaths.

"We have information now that twopeople have died from overdose involvingfentanyl, either as chiefly responsible, or at least as part of a mixed drug ingestion," said chief medical officer of health Dr. Brendan Hanley.

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Fentanylis a synthetic opiate narcotic primarily used to treat pain. Street sales of the drug have been linked to hundreds of overdose deaths across Canada.

Hanleysaid he's reviewed the last five years of emergency room visits in Yukon and foundopioiduse to be "surprisingly common" and seemingly consistent over recent years.

ButHanleyfeels there is "great cause for concern," asfentanylis becoming more readily available, and sought after.

"People are, believe it or not, actually seeking outfentanylas they have heard it's a cheap high."

Another concern, he says, is "unintentional usage" by recreational drug users. Drugs such as cocaine, heroin,oxycodoneand even pot are sometimes cut withfentanylpowder.

"Know your source, [and] never take drugs alone,"Hanleysaid.