The Yukon Coroner’s Service confirmed today there have been nine opioid-related deaths in the territory between Jan. 5 and Feb. 22.

Coroner Heather Jones said in a statement that 24 opioid-related deaths took place in 2021 and that 67 opioid-related deaths have occurred in the Yukon since April of 2016.

“These deaths were preventable, and our communities continue to struggle with the grief and pain associated with the loss of life from the substance use health crisis,” she said.

“We are now able to provide further information on these 24 tragic deaths that occurred in 2021.”

Those data include:

• 20 of these deaths, or 83 per cent, occurred in Whitehorse;

• 16, or 67 per cent, were male and eight, or 33 per cent, were female;

• 14, or 58 per cent, were non-First Nations citizens and 10, or 42 per cent, were First Nations citizens;

• ages ranged from 23 to 60, with the average age being 44;

• benzodiazapines, or “benzos” have been confirmed in six cases;

• cocaine has been confirmed in 17 cases;

• fentanyl has been involved in all cases; and

• carfentanil has been involved in two cases.

Jones said these deaths represent 20 per cent of all cases investigated by the coroner’s service in 2021.

“Between Jan. 5 and Feb. 22, the coroner service can confirm nine opioid-related deaths and a 10th death that is awaiting full toxicological analysis,” she said.

Here is further information on the 10 deaths that have occurred in 2022:

• eight, or 80 per cent, of these deaths occurred in Whitehorse;

• five were female and five were male;

• seven, or 70 per cent, were First Nations citizens and three, or 30 per cent, were non-First Nations citizens;

• ages ranged from 26 to 56, with an average age of 32;

• benzodiazapines have been confirmed in three cases;

• cocaine has been confirmed in five cases; and

• fentanyl has been confirmed in all nine confirmed cases, while the 10th case is pending.

“These deaths represent 40 per cent of all cases investigated by YCS since January 2022,” Jone said.

“The YCS is beginning to see more First Nations citizens being affected, as well as more women and people in younger age groups. Alcohol remains a factor in many cases.

“Toxic drug supplies (illicit opioids) are continuing to take the lives of our loved ones and cause irreparable harm to our communities,” the coroner added.

“No part of our society is unaffected; all Yukoners can take steps to address this, and we urge them to do so.

“What the Yukon is experiencing is astonishingly difficult,” Jones added.

“We must show kindness, wisdom and compassion to those struggling with substance use, and work to support each other as we grieve.”

NDP MLA Annie Blake called the situation “heart-breaking.

“The deaths are coming too fast to grieve,” she told the Star this morning.

“It’s really concerning how rapidly this is happening. Where are the supports? People don’t know how to access the safe supply (for recreational drugs), and there’s no accessible support for families.”

Bronte Renwick-Shields of Blood Ties Four Directions said, “Our hearts are all extremely heavy with the increasing numbers of overdose deaths in the territory.

These numbers and this report speak to the overwhelming amount of loss our community has experienced.

“The overdose crisis continues to devastatingly affect families, friends and the Yukon community as a whole,” Renwick-Shields added.

“Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones. We encourage any one who needs support at this time to reach out, and for people to get their drugs tested, use the supervised consumption site, carry naloxone and not use alone.”

There are solutions to the crisis, Renwick-Shields added.

“We need to see expanded access to safer supply for all Yukoners, the decriminalization of personal possession of substances and increased access to land-based and culturally appropriate treatment programs and supports.” 

Tracy-Anne McPhee, the minister of Health and Social services, declared an opioids state of emergency on Jan. 20.