Opioids, meth, benzos a growing concern in Waterloo region: Chief Larkin

Waterloo regional police are warning the public about the presence of powerful drugs in the community as overdoses and suspected overdose deaths continue to rise.

As of Nov. 3 this year, there have been 78 suspected overdose deaths in the region, compared to a total of 63 in all of last year. Meanwhile, first responders have been called to 1,037 overdose-related calls, up from 932 at this time last year. 

Police Chief Bryan Larkin told reporters Tuesday that opioids are an ongoing issue in the community, but that officers have also noticed an increase in the use of methamphetamines and benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines are of particular concern because they can cause a significant, long-lasting high. They can also interfere with the effectiveness of naloxone, an overdose-reversing drug, Larkin said.

"The power of the current drugs that we're seeing throughout our region [is] concerning," Larkin said during a media roundtable Tuesday.

Larkin said he believes addressing addiction as a public health issue rather than a crime is the best way forward. Larkin also serves as president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, which has called on the federal government to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs for personal consumption.

"I'm very actually hopeful that the federal government will engage in more dialogue around drug diversion and simple possession, decriminalization," said Larkin. "It's a polarizing issue, but clearly, enforcement can't be the only answer."

Police have seized just over $316,000 worth of drugs this year, Larkin said.