Duane Hicks
At this point, it’s not easy to determine how the recent ban of OxyContin, and the advent of its replacement, OxyNEO, will impact the region, OPP Northwest Superintendent Ron van Straalen said.
“It’s a huge issue for us, particularly in the far north,” noted Supt. van Straalen, who attended a meeting of the local Police Services Board earlier this month.
“We’re going to have to see what the impact is,” he added. “The [oxycodone] will still be there, but in the new form it will not be able to be used in an illegal manner.
“They’ll switch to something else,” Supt. van Straalen admitted.
He said he’s aware of recent break-ins at pharmacies across Ontario, where thieves are looking for supplies of OxyContin before they’re replaced by the new OxyNEO.
As such, Fort Frances OPP A/Insp. Steve Shouldice and C.J. Pierce, with the Community Drug Action Team (CDAT), have talked to local pharmacists about this issue.
Supt. van Straalen explained OxyNEO differs from OxyContin in that it is much more difficult to crush (for those who snort or chew the current OxyContin tablets).
And when melted or mixed with a liquid, OxyNEO forms a thick gel that prevents the oxycodone from being extracted for injection.
“So you cannot inhale it and you cannot inject it,” said Supt. van Straalen.
A/Insp. Shouldice noted the new form of the drug already has been put out in the U.S. and he’s seen a report indicating it’s had a positive effect.
But apparently there may be a choking hazard associated with the new drug. Since the pills turn into gel when swallowed, taking more than one at a time possibly could cause one to choke.
OxyContin is no longer manufactured in Canada as of March 1, replaced by OxyNEO. It also is no longer on the list of drugs doctors can prescribe.
Ontario patients prescribed OxyContin will continue to receive it for this month, but all coverage of OxyContin will end April 2.
Doctors now are asked to prescribe OxyNEO.
Drugs continue to be a problem here. There were seven occurrences in January, resulting in five people being charged.
CDAT seized cocaine, codeine, ecstasy, marijuana, methadone, and OxyContin.
In related news, winter weather resulted in 41 vehicle collisions that caused damage in Rainy River District in January, three of which caused injuries.
Twenty-four of these collisions occurred in Fort Frances, but none of those resulted in injury.
One sexual assault occurred in Fort Frances in January, compared to none in December.
A total of 16 assaults occurred in January, down slightly from 18 in December.
All 16 occurred in Fort Frances, including one with a weapon. Four were domestic-related while one occurred at the Ge-Di-Binez Youth Centre.
A total of four break-and-enters occurred in January, down from five in December.
Three of these occurred in Fort Frances, and two were related, resulting in charges after the suspect was caught following a 45-minute foot chase.
A total of 11 mischiefs occurred in January—the same as the previous month.
Eight of these were in Fort Frances, ranging from damage to vehicles, smashed windows, and graffiti to domestic-related property damage, an egged house, and damage to a residence.
A total of three impaired driving charges were laid in January, the same as in December.
Two of these were in Fort Frances.
But there has been a significant drop in theft under $5,000 in the new year, dropping to seven in January from 15 in December and 24 in November.
Five of the seven thefts took place in Fort Frances, including two related to the break-and-enter/foot chase incident.
The others included a theft of cash ($180), a band card ($500 withdrawal), and a government cheque.
