Opposition uncovers 51 deaths due to overdose in NL last year

    Tuesday, 30 April 2024 12:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Premier Andrew Furey says government can always do more to address this evolving issue. He says this has been an evolving crises that gripped the west coast of this country and is now spreading east.

    The Opposition focused its entire Question Period in the House of Assembly yesterday on the lack of adequate supports for people battling drug addiction, mental illness and urgent mental health crises. Tony Wakeham said the government is not doing enough to help, even though the rate of deaths from addictions is accelerating, with a 143% increase in fatal overdoses recorded since 2019, and the pace of deaths doubling from spring to fall last year. He says last year, 51 people died in this province as the result of overdoses. Premier Andrew Furey says government can always do more to address this evolving issue. He says this has been an evolving crises that gripped the west coast of this country and is now spreading east. Furey says  fentanyl is now hitting our shores. Wakeham added “the number of files assigned to the RNC’s drug enforcement unit has doubled in the past two years, and the number of charges laid is up by a factor of seven.”

    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

      Light rain

      High: 9°C | Low: 1°C

    • Deer Lake

      Light rain

      High: 9°C | Low: 2°C

    Recently Played

    Podcasts

    • BayFM On-Demand

      Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons on Bay Fm

      Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons on Bay Fm, Tuesday April 29, 2025

    • Qalipu Today

      Qalipu Today, April 29, 2025

      National Seal Products Day with Bill Penny!

    • Sunday Night Geek

      Sunday Night Geek, April 27 2025

      Sunday Night Geek, April 27 2025