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P.E.I. Battles Rising Fentanyl Crisis
25 Feb
Summary
- Fentanyl prevalence is increasing significantly on P.E.I. streets.
- Law enforcement agencies are enhancing efforts to combat the drug.
- Fentanyl's high potency poses overdose and addiction risks.
Law enforcement agencies on Prince Edward Island are reporting an alarming increase in fentanyl instances. Police services in Charlottetown and Summerside, alongside the RCMP, are intensifying their strategies to combat the dangerous drug's growing presence on P.E.I. streets. Det./Sgt. Patrick Daley of Summerside Police Service noted that the city is unfortunately following a national trend, with increased fentanyl busts attributed to both higher prevalence and more proactive enforcement.
Daley emphasized fentanyl's dangers, describing it as a highly potent and very addictive synthetic opioid that can lead to overdoses. He also mentioned that the drug is increasingly found combined with other substances, heightening the risk for users. Charlottetown Police Service saw a dramatic increase in seized fentanyl, from 77 grams in 2023 to 1.1 kilograms in 2025, valued at $400,000. RCMP Const. Kevin MacKay confirmed a decade-long rise in fentanyl possession and trafficking, with seizures ranging from gram levels to kilo-level busts.
