List of Fentanyl Treatment and Rehab Centers in Newfoundland
The information below will help you on how to find a fentanyl medical detox program in Newfoundland. The list could be incomplete, so if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at 1-877-254-3348.
Address of the center
The Current State of Fentanyl use in Newfoundland and Labrador
The provincial government and the St. John’s Community Action Group on fentanyl launched a harm-reduction program in 2018 to reduce opioid overdose and the spread of disease through needles. The province has installed metal sharp kiosks and several smaller metal sharp’s boxes at all public locations in St. John’s to help with the safe disposal of needles. These harm-reduction programs that are led by the St. John’s community action group are a partnership between Health and Community Services, the City of St. John’s, Eastern Health, and many other community outreach organizations. Opioid use and addiction and the use of fentanyl are common problems throughout the Maritimes. The goal of the St. Johns Community Action Group is to help increase the awareness of fentanyl to help reduce the risk of overdose and increase access to naloxone. In 2017, outreach workers and addiction workers knew the day would come when fentanyl would turn up in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fentanyl is 100 times more powerful than morphine, and in April of 2017, Eastern Health revealed that fentanyl was responsible for 15 overdose deaths, and within months the number increased to 18. In 2013, fentanyl was responsible for two deaths, and in 2014 the drug was responsible for four deaths. With such a long history of opioid abuse and addiction in the Maritimes, many of these types of opioid deaths can be traced back to the late 1990s. In August of 2016, the Newfoundland and Labrador government supplied 1200 naloxone kits, that were available for free of charge. Drug raids in 2016, turned-up powder heroin that did, in fact, contain fentanyl, and RCMP was already aware that fentanyl would be turning up in the province.
INFORMATION ON DRUG REHAB
Fentanyl Followed the Same Path as Other Opioids Entering the Province
Between 2015 and 2017 in Newfoundland and Labrador, there were numerous arrests and drug raids done that found many opioid substances that contained fentanyl. In January 2017, contraband pills that were made to look like OxyContin were discovered in parts of Newfoundland, and the RCMP was warning citizens that these pills did contain fentanyl. In April of 2017, fentanyl was responsible for 15 overdose deaths, and the medical staff at hospitals believed that fentanyl was mixed in with heroin that was being used by these drug addicts, and many other cases involved cocaine and Percocet. Opioids in the Maritimes are continually responsible for crime, addiction, and death, and later this can be linked to fentanyl being found in heroin, cocaine, Percocet, and another type of illicit drugs. By the end of 2017, the province and Newfoundland and Labrador saw 23 people die because of fentanyl, and 57 people were admitted to hospitals because of opioid-related problems. Unfortunately, many of the overdoses that happen within the province cannot always be tracked because many will have naloxone available, but will not call 911 after. The harm-reduction programs, clean needles, and naloxone kits have been helping people, but opioid addiction and the use of fentanyl are an ongoing problem within the province.
Cocaine and Heroin are Becoming More Common in Newfoundland and Labrador
The police in the province have indicated that many prescription medications are being abused on the street that were not typically abused before. Currently, cocaine is one of the most popular drugs in the province, and unfortunately; cocaine can be laced with fentanyl, along with other drugs such as heroin. Many drug addicts end up suffering from an overdose because of illicit drugs being laced with fentanyl. The province of Newfoundland is also working to curb the questionable prescribing of opioids and prevent people from visiting multiple doctors. Doctor shopping is a common way for addicts to get the drugs they need, by tricking prescribing doctors into that they need help. Commonly abused illicit drugs and prescription drugs are responsible for countless addictions throughout the province, but there are drug treatment options and fentanyl detox programs, along with family support services to help people. Throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, addicts can access inpatient and outpatient drug rehab services and medical detox programs to help addicts who are using fentanyl. Medical detox programs will help an addict safely withdraw from the drug and manage the withdrawal pains. After detox, an addict should go into a drug treatment program to address the underlying issues connected with the addiction. Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that is being found in so many types of illicit drugs, and if a person does choose to use drugs, they should be aware of the possible risks involved. Local authorities in Newfoundland and Labrador are taking steps to help spread the proper information about the drug. Harm reduction programs and drug treatment options are viable choices to help addicts and prevent the spread of disease, and stop overdoes caused by fentanyl from happening.
ADDITIONAL SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCES
Ask a professional
Fentanyl is an opioid that is 100% stronger than morphine, heroin, or oxycodone. Illegal fentanyl has flooded the streets, increasing overdose rates. Illicit synthetic fentanyl is mixed into the drugs, which has increased overdose rates.
Yes, fentanyl is addictive like any other opioid. Regular fentanyl uses causes dependence and addiction. In addition, the withdrawal symptoms are quite severe and can include cravings, sweating, runny nose, nausea, stomach cramps, muscle spasms, and chills.
Fentanyl is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made to look like other pain medication, and it is all sold illegally. Fentanyl-laced drugs are dangerous and are a major contributing factor to the increased number of overdose deaths in Canada.
The signs of a fentanyl overdose include small, constricted pin-point pupils, falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow, weak, or no breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, limp body, cold or clammy skin, and discolored skin. A fentanyl overdose can be reversed if Naloxone is administered.
Treating fentanyl addiction begins with medical detox to manage withdrawal symptoms, which are painful. Medical detox effectively manages these withdrawal symptoms with other medications. Following detox, the next phase of rehabilitation should involve long-term residential drug rehab. In addition, aftercare support is critical, such as group meetings, sober living, or outpatient treatment.
The questions from DrugRehab.ca’s “Ask a Professional” are answered by Nickolaus Hayes. If you need further clarification on any of the questions above or have any other questions you can contact him directly at [email protected].
