The number of fentanyl deaths in the Yukon has risen to seven – and the territorial government is being pressed on its response to the opioid crisis devastating communities across Canada.

In the legislature Tuesday, Yukon NDP MLA Kate White asked the government for a “clear plan between departments and community organizations to address this growing crisis.”

She inquired about the resources available for Yukoners who are struggling with opioid addiction.

She also cited five deaths in the territory since 2016 that have been confirmed as being caused by the potent opioid.

This number is suspected to be higher, she said, but delays with toxicology reports and a lack of information prevent that suspicion from being confirmed.

Heather Jones, the Yukon’s acting chief coroner, told the Star in a subsequent interview that seven fentanyl deaths have now been confirmed, but wouldn’t link the deaths to particular communities due to privacy concerns.

She also said that number could rise, as the corner’s office is still waiting on toxicology results that are now taking more than six months to complete.

The territory doesn’t have the capacity to do its own toxicology testing, Jones explained.

Consequently, they have to outsource the process to British Columbia, where all provincial overdose cases have been expedited through toxicology in lieu of autopsies.

British Columbia has been devastated by the opioid crisis, with 706 fentanyl-related deaths from January through July 2017 alone, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.

“We don’t actually have the ability, unfortunately, to get expedited so we have to go into the queue which gets, everyday, delayed,” Jones said.

This isn’t just a Yukon problem, according to Jones. Jurisdictions across the country are dealing with longer wait times for toxicology results.

“I’m not sure what our options are to be honest.”

If the results Jones is waiting on indeed attribute additional deaths to fentanyl, the total number of fatalities in the territory could exceed seven.

“But not by much,” she added.

First death

The first Yukon fentanyl death occurred in April 2016.

Jones wasn’t willing to put an exact number on the pending results, as they are only suspected fentanyl cases at this point.

Education Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee responded to White’s question in the legislature Tuesday.

“Fentanyl and the scourge that it is on our community are of concern to us all,” she said.

The government has established inter-departmental working groups and is working with the territory’s law enforcement, medical health officers and agencies and NGOs to combat the opioid crisis, according to McPhee.

They are also providing overdose training to first responders and distributing naloxone kits – an opioid overdose antidote – across Yukon communities.

Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost told reporters yesterday that while the government is focusing on prevention and education, it’s also ensuring that services are available to people struggling with opioid addiction.

Social workers, community nurses, and the 11 addictions and mental wellness workers the government has promised to hire will serve as the first line of support for Yukoners in different communities who want opioid addiction treatment, according to Frost.

“It’s up to the individuals to come forward and request the supports as long as we’re responsive in delivering the supports that are required,” she said.

She also noted that the government is looking at expanding the treatment services available at the Sarah Steele facility in downtown Whitehorse to those grappling with opioid addiction.

“The services are there on the ground, the outreach services are in the communities to get them to the help that they require,” said Frost.

“That’s our commitment as a government, and we want to ensure that we are there to respond to the crisis.”