A recent spike in drug overdoses in Moncton, New Brunswick, has raised alarms among harm reduction workers throughout the province. Over the weekend, Moncton’s fire department responded to 52 overdose incidents, marking a troubling peak. Josue Goguen, a supervisor at Ensemble Moncton, suspects that the drug supply contains medetomidine, a potent veterinary tranquillizer not intended for human use. While Saint John has not experienced a similar surge, Deputy Chief Ed Moyer warns that it could soon follow. Laura MacNeill, executive director of Avenue B Harm Reduction, noted that their drug testing machine has detected medetomidine, which complicates overdose response efforts since naloxone is ineffective against such tranquilizers. The situation is exacerbated by an influx of young individuals seeking assistance, highlighting a broader crisis in mental health and drug support services. MacNeill calls for increased treatment options and resources to address the growing challenges posed by the toxic drug supply and the affordability crisis affecting vulnerable populations.