14 opioid deaths in NL during July and August

    Tuesday, 5 September 2023 07:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Jeff Bourne, the executive director of the U-turn Drop-In-Centre in downtown Carbonear, says these deaths are happening more and more. He knows of 50 deaths since he started with U-Turn.

    There have been 14 deaths in this province so far this summer due to opiod overdoses. This is one of the reasons government announced the re-formation of an All-Party Committee on Substance Use and Addictions. At a Friday afternoon media availability in  St. John’s, Health Minister Tom Osborne was asked about the spike in the number of deaths and said there were 11 in July and 3 in August, and it’s hard to predict those numbers. Jeff Bourne, the executive director of the U-turn Drop-In-Centre in downtown Carbonear, says these deaths are happening more and more. He knows of 50 deaths since he started with U-Turn, and it’s huge to have support with this committee. Bourne says the face of addiction is forever changing and that wave of change is here now with things happening similar to what’s happening in Vancouver. He says it’s time for the community to come together and stop pointing the finger. Bourne says the community has come a long way in the last 5 years with mental health and addictions services improvements. There is still much work to be done. 

     

    To report an error, submit a news tip, or provide feedback, please e-mail news@bayfm.ca or call (709) 637-0183.

    More from Local News

     

     

     

    BayFM recognizes support from the following agencies:

                        

    Today's Weather

    • Corner Brook

      Sunny intervals

      High: 9°C | Low: -4°C

    • Deer Lake

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 5°C | Low: -1°C

    • Stephenville

      Sunny intervals

      High: 7°C | Low: -1°C

    Recently Played

    Podcasts

    • Qalipu Today

      Qalipu Today, Tuesday April 14, 2026

      On Qalipu Today , Ian Sullivan, Director of Environment and Natural Resources, joins the show.

    • Tuesdays with the Mayor

      Tuesdays with the Mayor, April 14, 2026

      Corner Brook Mayor Linda Chaisson talks about the new dates for Spring Clean-up in the city, another Town Hall meeting coming up and more.

    • Corner Brook In Council

      Corner Brook City Council meeting, April 13, 2026

      Corner Brook City Council meeting, April 13, 2026