Four people died in Whitehorse this fall as a result of using toxic drugs over an 11-day period

The Yukon coroner is warning about the circulation of toxic drugs in the Yukon after a series of overdose deaths in the territory in recent weeks.

In a news release Friday, the coroner said four people died from toxic illegal drugs in the area over an 11-day period from Sept. 23 to Oct. 4. The coroner is also investigating two other cases where toxic substances are suspected to have been involved during the same period.

“Toxicology results for these two cases are pending, but there is evidence that cocaine may have been used at the time of their deaths,” the release said.

According to the coroner’s office, the four confirmed cases all occurred in Whitehorse and involved cocaine. Three of the cases also involved fentanyl, two involved flurfentanyl and two also involved bromazolam. In one case it was also about alcohol.

“These cases did not appear to be connected in any way, suggesting that toxic substances are circulating in Whitehorse,” the coroner’s news release said.

“This substance use health emergency continues to ravage our territory and we must not lose sight of its acute impacts.”

The coroner says there have been 12 substance use-related deaths and two additional suspected deaths in Yukon so far in 2024.

In a written statement Friday, Yukon Health Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee said the string of recent deaths “underscores the urgent need for continued vigilance and collective action to address this devastating crisis.”

“This tragic wave of deaths reminds us all of the unpredictable and deadly nature of the toxic drug supply.”