Fentanyl Crisis in Abbotsford, Canada

Introduction

The Abbotsford community has started to encounter a drug, fentanyl. This drug is mainly used for cancer patients in extreme pain. The drug is ten times more powerful than heroin. Since there is no smell or taste, it is incredibly hard to tell if this drug is in other drugs. Fentanyl is typically placed into different drugs either in powder or liquid form. Some well-known drugs like cocaine, molly, weed, and oxycodone pills have been shown to be laced with fentanyl. This is due to fentanyl being a cheaper drug to produce, which gives dealers a higher profit margin and users a stronger high, albeit with a significantly higher risk of fatality.

Fentanyl Crisis in Abbotsford, Canada

Abbotsford first started to see an increasing number of overdose deaths in 2015, and they noticed a pattern: all those who overdosed and died had traces of fentanyl in their bodies. This was a major concern for the community, particularly because many teenagers who do drugs are unaware of the risks of fentanyl-laced substances. According to an article posted by Vice, many teenagers believed that most of these pills were prescription medications, though most were counterfeit (Smith, 2016). The death toll continued to rise, and by September 2016, it had already surpassed the death toll of 2015.

After a province-wide health emergency was declared, the police, along with other organizations, started to educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl. Schools also began teaching students about the risks. For example, Abbotsford Senior Secondary posted “Fentanyl Warning Issued - Abbotsford Police Department” on their school website on June 6th, 2016 (Abbotsford Senior Secondary, 2016). In addition to school efforts, the Abbotsford Police Department published an article online to educate and warn the community of the risks. Organizations also put up posters to alert the community about the fentanyl crisis and provided contact information for witnessing a fentanyl overdose.

The SARA Model in Action

The problem-oriented policing model being implemented here is the SARA model. The first step of the SARA model is scanning, which determines whether a problem exists. The identified problem was the increasing number of overdoses. The second step is analysis, which assesses the problem's impact—specifically, the rising death toll and its acceleration. The third step is response, focusing on those responsible and employing social control measures. The response included declaring a province-wide health emergency and educating the community about fentanyl and its risks. The final step of the SARA model is assessment, where the outcomes are examined to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures implemented.

Efforts to combat the crisis also extended beyond local initiatives. Provincial and federal health organizations collaborated to provide resources and support to affected areas, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle this public health emergency (Health Canada, 2017). The Abbotsford community, along with health professionals and law enforcement, continues to work tirelessly to reduce the impact of this crisis.

Conclusion

The fentanyl crisis in Abbotsford is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by drug abuse and the necessity for proactive measures. Through education, community engagement, and effective policing strategies like the SARA model, Abbotsford aims to mitigate the devastating effects of fentanyl and prevent further loss of life.

References

• Abbotsford Senior Secondary. (2016). Fentanyl Warning Issued - Abbotsford Police Department. Retrieved from [Abbotsford Senior Secondary Website]
• Health Canada. (2017). Federal actions on opioids to date. Retrieved from [Health Canada Website]
• Smith, J. (2016). Teens and Fentanyl: A Deadly Mix. Vice. Retrieved from [Vice Website]