RCMP assist 218 people with drug addictions in third quarter

In the third quarter of 2021, the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP were involved in 218 instances where they assisted people struggling with addiction.

In continuation of the City of Vernon’s Opioid Pilot Program, which was launched in December of 2018 to help improve access to services for addiction, Mounties handed out 128 information cards about the program and services in the third quarter of 2021.

The report from the RCMP note they also referred 18 people to supports and services during that period. Of those referrals, 38 were made in July, nine happened in August, and 11 were made in September.

The RCMP also provided 52 people with Naloxone kits to prevent opioid overdoses over that time, with 15 being handed out in July, 16 given out in August, and 21 being handed out in September.