Since 2023, over 100 people have died of drug overdoses in the Netherlands – and this axe-throwing bar wants to help

The Newfoundland and Labrador Health Service's harm reduction van will be in the parking lot of Jack Axes every Thursday afternoon, accompanied by a team of nurses with tools to help people safely take medication. (Darryl Murphy/CBC)

More than 100 people have died of overdoses in Newfoundland and Labrador since 2023, according to the latest data from the province's chief coroner – a sharp increase compared to previous years that is prompting public health officials to find new ways to reduce harm to drug users.

According to the latest figures from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, there have been 31 deaths from drug poisoning in the province so far this year.

In 2023, 74 people died – a sharp increase from the total of 37 deaths in 2022 and the 36 deaths in 2021.

The rise in overdose deaths is prompting advocates for safer drug use to ask the public for help.

The Safe Works Access Program in St. John's distributes supplies necessary for drug use, such as syringes and naloxone kits, and educates people on how to recognize and reverse an opioid overdose.

Safe Works Access Program Manager Emily Wadden says an increasingly toxic drug supply has led to overdoses becoming more common. (Ted Dillion/CBC)

Emily Wadden, program manager at SWAP, cites an increasingly toxic drug supply as the reason for the rise in drug use. She said powerful drugs like fentanyl are easier to transport to the island because they are smaller and much stronger than traditional opiates.

It's no surprise that the number of overdoses has increased in recent months, but she's grateful for how the community has responded.

“There is a lot of public involvement in obtaining a naloxone kit because unfortunately anyone who uses drugs off the street or unregulated is at risk of dying,” Wadden said.

Harm minimization on the rise

Naloxone, a life-saving medication used to prevent opioid overdoses, is provided free of charge by SWAP and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services.

Jack Axes is a local business that has naloxone on site. The axe-throwing company has also agreed to host the health department's harm reduction team one day a week and park their response vehicle in their parking lot.

Adrian Beaton, the owner of Jack Axes, was aware of the problems in the neighborhood and said that asking damage control workers if they could park their van in front of the bar was a no-brainer.

Adrian Beaton is the owner of Jack Axes. He says he is aware of the drug problems in the neighbourhood and having a harm reduction team on site was a no-brainer. (Darryl Murphy/CBC)

“We're right on the doorstep of downtown,” Beaton said. “I can only imagine it can only be good for the community and hopefully save lives.”

Seretha Wheaton, a registered nurse who leads the harm reduction team, says the main goal of the assistance vehicle is to reach marginalized and vulnerable people who do not have access to traditional health care.

Drug toxicity is currently a serious problem in society, Wheaton said.

“We're seeing an increase in numbers … people need to know what's going on in the city, and it's not just affecting a certain demographic,” she said. “Anyone can overdose.”

At the harm reduction cart, community members can pick up naloxone kits, safe drug paraphernalia, toiletries, basic supplies such as hats, gloves and underwear, blood draw supplies, wound care products and specimen collection supplies.

The van travels to different areas of the community to provide basic medical care such as wound care, blood collection and first aid – with a harm reduction approach.

It is a “safe place with low barriers to entry, no prejudice and no restrictions on individuals, and that is consistent with our mission,” Wheaton said.

“We don't discriminate,” she said. “That's the beauty of it. We just accept everything that comes our way.”

The community is strengthening

According to Wheaton, community involvement and public awareness are critical to harm reduction.

“It takes a holistic, collaborative approach. We're just a small team in a huge city in the province of Newfoundland,” Wheaton said.

“We want teams across the province, but with community engagement there is only [a] a little more traction and let the community know what we are doing.”

Seretha Wheaton, a psychiatric nurse and harm reduction team leader, says the primary goal of the relief vehicle is to reach people who don't have access to traditional health care. (Darryl Murphy)

Wheaton said the van will be at various locations in downtown St. John's throughout the week, including at Jack Axes every Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. NT.

“I want everyone to be able to look at everything from a damage control perspective and just realize that … we are not above all of this,” she said.

“It could happen to any of us one day. And it could happen to your loved one, your child, your mother, your father – and it could happen at any time.”

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push notifications from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.