Decals warning about the dangers of fentanyl will be placed in the washrooms of local hot spots as part of a new awareness campaign spearheaded by Vancouver Coastal Health.
The decals—which show drugs arranged in foreboding symbols such as a skull, cross and a flat-lining heart—are being placed in nightclub bathrooms because they are a common location for recreational drug use.
“It’s a very toxic opiate and largely people are not aware they’re taking it,” said Dr. Mark Lysyshyn of Vancouver Coastal Health. “That’s why we need campaigns like this.”
Since 2009, fentanyl has been linked to at least 655 deaths in Canada. Among those killed by the highly potent drug were Hardy and Amelia Leighton, a young North Vancouver couple found dead in their home on July 20.
In August, fentanyl was linked to the overdose death of Burnaby teen Jack Bodie.
“For the last three years we’ve seen an increasing amount of overdose deaths that are linked to fentanyl,” Lysyshyn said.
Vancouver Coastal Health hopes the unconventional campaign will save lives.
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