There have been seven overdose deaths in the Yukon since the beginning of the year, three of which have been confirmed as fentanyl-related, says the Yukon’s chief medical officer of health.

Brendan Hanley said Friday toxicology results confirm three deaths that occurred in March and April were fentanyl-related.

Test results from the earlier deaths are still pending.

“Each of these recent deaths mean another life extinguished too soon and another family left to grieve,” Hanley said in a statement.

“These tragedies are a brutal reminder that fentanyl and other dangerous drugs remain within easy reach.”

The chief medical officer emphasized the importance of not using drugs alone and having a naloxone kit handy.

Most of the deaths were among mostly middle-age males, he said.

Hanley said there are no obvious reasons for the overdoses.

“I don’t think they are necessarily connected cases but I think it’s a continuation of patterns we have seen before,” he said.

Hanley said they have seen similar spikes over the last three or four years.

Blood Ties Four Directions has just produced a great infographic for safe drug use, Hanley said.

Executive director Emily Jones of Blood Ties Four Directions said this morning the supply chain for illicit drugs may have been interrupted by border closings and such related to COVID-19.

It may be with fewer options available for drug users, they may be turning to different drugs or suppliers, she said.

She said you can never tell if the supply is safe or not.

Jones also emphasized the importance of not doing drugs alone and having a naloxone kit available.

Blood Ties does have naloxone kits for distribution and they also have drug testing services available for those who want to check and see if their drugs contain fentanyl, she said.

“If you are using drugs, it is extremely important to use with other people,” Jones said. “Test your drugs and we have all that available at Blood Ties Four Directions.”

The chief medical officer noted there is the Opioid Treatment Services available at the Referred Care Clinic and no referral is required.

“Any drug death is a loss and at this time, when families cannot gather, it is doubly sad,” Hanley said.

Yukon coroner Heather Jones said in a statement Friday the seven drug-related deaths in the first four months of this year was more than double for the same period in 2019.

“This is cause for real concern, which is shared by the chief medical officer of health,” Jones said.

“We join him in reminding Yukoners to access the many resources available.

“Every death of a Yukoner has impact, and together, we can work to prevent unnecessary heartbreak and pain in our communities.”

Chief Supt. Scott Sheppard, the commanding officer of the Yukon RCMP, said enforcement efforts by the Yukon RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit “continue to indicate that a variety of ‘hard’ drugs, including fentanyl, are making their way into the illicit supply chain.

“The RCMP is fully supportive of Yukon Health’s harm reduction program and remains committed to working with health authorities and NGOs in the timely sharing of information impacting those most vulnerable to the illicit drug trade.”