Yukon Coroner’s Service Reports More Opioid deaths

Friday, 19 February 2021 13:26

“Drug overdoses continue to take the lives of Yukoners at an alarming rate,” says Yukon Chief Coroner Heather Jones. “Since Yukon’s first fentanyl death in 2016, Yukon has had a total of 36 confirmed opioid deaths, 28 of which involved fentanyl. In 2020, the Coroner’s Service investigated 14 drug overdose deaths.

The Yukon Coroner’s Service has confirmed three deaths as a result of drug overdoses, involving the opioid fentanyl, since mid-January 2021.
A fourth death during the same time period is pending toxicological results, however, circumstances and autopsy findings suggest that this death is also the result of a drug overdose. All of these deaths occurred in the Whitehorse area.

“Drug overdoses continue to take the lives of Yukoners at an alarming rate,” says Yukon Chief Coroner Heather Jones.

“Since Yukon’s first fentanyl death in 2016, Yukon has had a total of 36 confirmed opioid deaths, 28 of which involved fentanyl. In 2020, the Coroner’s Service investigated 14 drug overdose deaths. Of these, 10 involved opioids, eight of which were fentanyl-based. These numbers are more than double those that were seen in 2019.”

“All Yukon communities have been affected by these deaths and it is clear this is still an issue of real concern. These deaths and overdoses are occurring in people from all walks of life, and in ages. Given the number of overdoses that both Yukon RCMP and Emergency Medical Services have responded to in recent months, we are fortunate the death toll is not higher,” said Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley.
Hanley said a number of initiatives have been introduced to support individuals however COVID-19 pandemic has also played a part in how services are offered and accepted.

“Although much is in place for those who are ready and willing to access the services, we recognize that there is still much work to be done.”
Chief Superintendent Scott O. Sheppard, Commanding Officer of “M” Division RCMP stated “The Yukon RCMP works daily alongside our first responders and remains concerned about the impacts illicit drugs are having on our community. Between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020,

Yukon RCMP members administered Naloxone to members of the general public on 23 separate occasions. The RCMP have also attended an additional 46 separate calls for service where Synthetic Opioid/Fentanyl was suspected. The possible consumption of drugs contaminated with fentanyl, and potential overdose, is very real in our territory. The consequences are severe."

More from CHON-FM Northern News

Daughter demands answers after second family member dies at 405 Alexander

Bailey's biological father also died at the shelter in 2021, and she claims that the shelter's staff provided conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the death of her stepfather.
Yukon Risks Blackouts This Winter as Hydro Power Plant Undergoes Repairs

The Aishihik turbine was critically damaged in October, and repair work is not expected to be completed until spring.
YUKON'S SPEAKER DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM HIS OWN LIBERAL GOVERNMENT ABOUT POLITICAL INTERFERENCE WITH ELECTIONS YUKON AND TWO OTHER OVERSIGHT BODIES

Following complaints, Speaker Jeremy Harper writes to Sandy Silver to ask why the government is interfering with Elections Yukon, Yukon Child and Youth Advocate Office, and the office of the Yukon Ombudsman
Liard First Nation chief has lost confidence, been suspended by his community

LFN citizens who attended a public meeting Tuesday in Watson Lake overwhelmingly sided with the Deputy Chief and Council members who drafted a resolution to have Chief Stephen Charlie suspended from his duties
Liard First Nation Employees Fired After Advocating for Change

Emeral Poppe and Diana Lee Jimmy have been vocal advocates for change within Liard First Nation, raising concerns over transparency.
YFNED kicks off fifth-annual winter hamper program

"We try to support local as much as we can." - YFNED Acting Director of First Nation Initiatives Kim Rumley
Broken generator at Aishihik Generating Station puts pressure on the Yukon's electricity grid

The 12-megawatt generator failed due to a part malfunction, according to the Yukon Energy Corporation
Intergovernmental Forum takes place in Ottawa - not Yukon - for second year running

Forum discussed collaborative approaches to funding the implementation of Final and Self-Government Agreements.
Suspected contamination at the abandoned Wolverine Mine: Yukon government

The Yukon government has been addressing water treatment issues at the site since the mine's abandonment in 2015
Food For Fines Campaign Returns to Whitehors

Eligible tickets include: Expired parking meter fines, and Two-hour zone fines.
Yukon First Nations leadership and Yukon government leadership meet for 30th Yukon Forum

This was the third Yukon Forum of 2024. The last will be the Intergovernmental Forum in Ottawa in December.
Shot in the Dark Productions premiered two films at the Yukon Arts Centre

Shot in the Dark Productions believes puppets can captivate both children and adults, conveying important environmental science themes through entertainment.
Former Connective staff acquitted of sexual assault and exploitation charges

Judge Gurmail Gill found Omale not guilty due to inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony and lack of forensic evidence.
Whitehorse RCMP officers to start using body-worn cameras

The Yukon RCMP adopts body-worn cameras to bolster trust, accountability, and transparency in its community services
Whitehorse Community Thrift Store volunteers stop work following store manager's termination by its board of directors.

Thrift store society founder Karen Weinberg says the manager was fired for raising safety concerns.
Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin, Yukon NDP blast Yukon government for delays in Dawson Regional Land Use Plan

“Every day this plan doesn’t get done is another day of status quo for the mining industry. It’s starting to feel like this is by design.” - Yukon NDP Leader Kate White
Newly elected Whitehorse Mayor and Council sworn into office

Mayor Kirk Cameron and Councillors Anne Middler, Dan Boyd, Lenore Morris, Eileen Melynchuk, Jenny Hamilton, and Paolo Gallina have taken their oaths of office.
2024 Yukon River fall chum salmon run records dismal numbers

The Porcupine River revealed alarmingly low numbers, with 16,275 and 8,368 fish recorded
Trial of Former Connective residential support worker accused of sexually assaulting a vulnerable client commenced in Whitehorse territorial court on Monday.

Omale, 38 has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a person with a disability stemming from September 2023.
Whitehorse residents join Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition's Actions for Accountability Rally

Dozens of people marked Poverty and Homelessness Accountability week with a walk to the Jim Smith building, where the mother of a homeless man spent the night camping in the parking lot.