Opioid overdose calls are surging in 2 N.B. cities. Here's what fire chiefs are calling for

The fire chiefs in two of New Brunswick's largest cities say their departments are dealing with a spike in opioid overdose medical calls, and they're asking the province to help with the rising costs of a crisis.

Saint John's fire chief and EMO director Kevin Clifford says his firefighters had to administer about 130 doses of Narcan last year — a nasal spray of the medication naloxone, used to reverse the effects of a known or suspected opioid overdose.

That's twice as many doses as the previous year.

The Saint John Fire Department is on pace to be close to 130 doses again this year, said Clifford, who recently shared that data with the city's public safety committee.

Sometimes firefighters are sent to help the same person three times in one day, he said.

"The spike for us is unique over the last couple years, but you know Ambulance New Brunswick is administering Narcan, our police officers are administering Narcan, so when you add it all up, it's really quite a serious issue," Clifford said.

The calls have not been to homeless tent encampments, but to wealthier neighbourhoods, all over the city, said Clifford.

Most of the overdoses happen after people take fentanyl, which is 50 to 100 times more powerful than heroin, he said. Users report it's a quick high that's cheap and easily accessible.

The Moncton Fire Department has also seen about a 40 per cent jump in overdose calls over the past three years, according to chief Conrad Landry.

"Right now we're averaging between four and five overdose calls per day," with one or two requiring Narcan, at a cost of $80 per dose, said Landry.

"We used to spend maybe $1,000 of Narcan every year. Last year, the number was a little over $20,000," pushing the department's medical supplies budget over budget.

The two municipalities currently cover the cost of the drug.

But Clifford and Landry say governments in other provinces, including Nova Scotia, cover the drug. They think New Brunswick should follow suit.

"Medical first response is not our primary business," said Clifford. "Medical services is more of a provincial mandate.