Fentanyl overdose rate increase prompts new police strategy

Despite their best efforts, Calgary police believe they will once again be dealing with high numbers of fentantyl-related overdoses and deaths in 2016. 

Though the statistics are still being compiled for 2015, police project 300 people province-wide will have died from fentanyl.

"I think we are on a course now where we haven't seen any changes from 2015," said Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta.

In 2014, 120 people died from the drug in Alberta. That number more than doubled the following year — a rise Schiavetta attributed to the drug's widespread availability.

At $20 a pill, fentanyl offers a cheap, euphoric high. It also offers a huge profit margin for the dealer, Schiavetta said.

"In Calgary, it's as easy to buy fentanyl as it is marijuana, so that's obviously something we are very concerned about," he said.

• Fatal Addiction: Alberta's fentanyl crisis
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Last week, police seized more than 600 fentanyl pills along with nearly $23,000 in cash and two sets of body armour from a man they allege was participating in a "significant dial-a-dope operation" in Calgary.

Police Chief Roger Chaffin says tackling the fentanyl crisis is about more than just enforcement. It also includes education and helping addicts get access to treatment. 

"It's getting those people the supports they need, the services they need, in a real time," Chaffin said.

Police have been developing a new drug strategy to get a handle on fentanyl before it takes a stronger hold on the city. 

"Unfortunately overdoses attributable to fentanyl are still a daily occurrence in our city," said Schiavetta.