Alberta RCMP is warning the public after finding the first recorded instance of Bromazolam in the province.
On April 16, Grande Prairie RCMP received a report from Health Canada regarding a drug that had been seized on Feb. 28. A large quantity of this drug was seized following a suspected fatal overdose.
The drug contained Fluorofentanyl mixed with Bromazolam, which is a benzodiazepine, and the first recorded instance of Bromazolam in Alberta.
“The analyzed drug was oval in size, stamped with “20” and “SS”, though it can come in other forms,” said RCMP.
Bromazolam was linked to nine fatal overdoses in New Brunswick in 2022, according to a report published by the Government of New Brunswick. Naloxone is not effective in reversing the effects of Bromazolam, the report states.
“Any fentanyl laced with Bromazolam would see a reduced effectiveness of naloxone, requiring the use of additional doses and may still result in a fatality,” said RCMP.
In Alberta, from January to November 2023, the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System report shows 1,706 opioid-related deaths and 57 benzodiazepine-related deaths while, in 2022, for the same time period, these numbers were 1,375 and 43 respectively.
This means that opioid-related deaths have increased by 24 per cent and benzodiazepine-related deaths have gone up by 32.5 per cent. Furthermore, for all of 2023, Alberta RCMP have responded to approximately 1,100 opioid-related calls for service with 368 (33.4 per cent) of these being fatal. There were also 67 Naloxone deployments by Alberta RCMP, increasing by 31.3 per cent since 2022.
“Your Alberta RCMP is committed to fighting the import and creation of drugs within the province and does so through various units and duties.”
Anyone with information about illegal activity regarding fentanyl or other illicit drugs, is encouraged to contact their local police. To remain anonymous, people can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the P3 Tips app.
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