There have been more suspected drug overdoses in St. Stephen, N.B., this week, according to the province’s housing minister, following nine calls which came in at once on Sunday night. David Hickey, who is also chair of the province’s standing committee on homelessness, confirmed on Thursday he was aware of additional overdose reports in St. Stephen since Sunday night, but wouldn’t confirm local numbers, saying it was St. Stephen and “other municipalities across the province.” Requests this week to the department of health for specific numbers from St. Stephen haven’t been provided. Mayor Steve Backman confirmed to CTV News Atlantic on Monday a total of nine people were treated for suspected overdoses on Sunday around the town’s Lighthouse Lodge shelter, with six taken to Charlotte County Hospital. Local Progressive Conservative MLA Kathy Bockus, whose husband is a volunteer firefighter, described a “boom, boom, boom” of scanner calls coming in on Sunday. The substance or substances that led to Sunday night’s suspected drug overdoses in St. Stephen haven’t been confirmed. St. Stephen RCMP issued a statement on Tuesday saying it was “investigating potential criminal activities linked to an increase in suspected drug overdoses in the community.” “While overdose calls are medical emergencies and do not necessarily involve criminal activity, police are examining whether any criminal elements may be linked to these incidents,” said the statement. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
