Coroner and Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health issue warning after fentanyl-related deaths

Yukon’s Chief Coroner Heather Jones and Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi, are cautioning Yukon residents around drug use after three recent deaths that have been linked to opioids. 

Between November 9 and November 30, three individuals died from drugs contaminated with fentanyl. The Chief Medical Officer of Health office has also received information around a recent increase in opioid overdoses that have not resulted in death.

Yukon’s illegal drug supply contains fentanyl. A very small amount of fentanyl can kill a person and the contaminated drugs may distribute throughout the territory. Our families and communities continue to grieve as the opioid epidemic takes more loved ones from us. People who use drugs should not use them alone. In Whitehorse, people can connect with the Blood Ties Four Directions Centre in Whitehorse for support and to have drugs tested for fentanyl. In smaller communities, people can connect with their health centre for help.

Acting Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi

We have major concerns that illicit drugs circulating in Yukon currently contain fentanyl, and a very small amount of fentanyl can be fatal. It is important that we re-emphasize the danger associated with drug use and the need to take precautions to minimize the risk of severe outcomes of overdose or death.

Yukon’s Chief Coroner Heather Jones

Quick facts 
  • From 2016 to 2018, Yukon had a total of 20 opioid-related deaths, with 15 being attributed to fentanyl.

  • Almost three quarters of the deaths over that period were men, which generally aligns with national estimates.

  • National estimates showed an increase in opioid related deaths in Canada between 2016 and 2018.  Estimates from the first quarter of 2019 demonstrate a similar numbers of deaths to the first quarter of 2018.

Media contact 

Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health
867-334-1456

Pat Living
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-667-3673
patricia.living@gov.yk.ca

Heather Jones
Chief Coroner
867-667-5317

Fiona Azizaj
Communications, Justice
867-667-8148
fiona.azizaj@gov.yk.ca

News release #: 
19-272