N.B. issues warning to public after 9 sudden drug-related deaths
New Brunswick Health is warning the public about a dangerous drug known as bromazolam after several recent deaths in the province.
Dr. Yves Léger, New Brunswick’s acting chief medical officer of health, says the drug has been detected in blood samples from nine sudden death investigations – the first indication that the drug is being used in New Brunswick.
"The coroner's service is the one responsible for investigating certain deaths, including suspected overdose deaths, and during the course of their investigations, certainly when they suspect overdoses, they will run a series of tests to check for a variety of different drugs," said Léger.
"In this case, bromazolam came up as being present in these nine cases. This was a first in New Brunswick and certainly with the number of deaths where this was found was certainly of concern to them [Coroner's Office] and that's when they reached out to us and based on our review, felt there was an ongoing risk in the New Brunswick drug supply, which warranted us to make a release to inform the public."
The province says fentanyl was also detected in some of the cases.
Léger calls the emergence of bromazolam in New Brunswick a “major concern.”
“What is especially concerning is that people do not know it is contained in their street drugs,” he said in a news release Friday. “There are no warning signs of Bromazolam’s presence, as it cannot be detected by sight, smell or taste. There are no telltale signs.”
The nine deaths took place from July to November.
Léger added there may still be a risk to drug users since testing for bromazolam can take months to complete.
The drug can lead to serious adverse effects, including death, especially when taken with opioids such as fentanyl. Léger says there are also concerns about people combining benzodiazepines, like bromazolam, with opioids. The combination increases the risk of overdose and death.
Public Health also warns that naloxone, often used to prevent overdoses, has no effect on benzodiazepines.
The department says it is contacting frontline organizations that work with people using street drugs about how to lower the risk of overdose and death.
Léger says some of those measures include:
- Try not to use alone, if at all possible, or tell someone that you're going to be using so that they can check up on you.
- Don't mix different types of drugs.
- Do testers to test the strength of drugs by trying a small amount first.
- Have naloxone on hand. In New Brunswick, take-home naloxone kits are available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.