Following apparent overdose, Nunavut RCMP issues warning about unknown drugs

The Nunavut RCMP is warning people to exercise caution when ingesting unknown drugs and consuming alcohol at the same time, following an incident in which a young woman was medevaced out of Arctic Bay earlier this week.

At the same time, an Arctic Bay man, Ivan Oyoukuluk, 39, faces four criminal charges.

On Feb. 15, the police were called to a residence in Arctic Bay where they found the young woman lying unconscious. They took her to the local health centre, but she was later medevaced out of the community for more treatment.

The woman had ingested an “unknown substance,” the police said in a news release.

“The RCMP would like to advise residents to always exercise caution when ingesting unknown drugs and consuming alcohol. Please be mindful of the harmful and often life altering consequences they may cause through excessive use,” the news release said.

“The best advice is to never use unknown illicit drugs and consume alcohol in safe quantities.”

Oyoukuluk faces the following charges:

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, under section 5 (2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

• Possession of a controlled substance, under section 4 (1) of the CDSA.

• Unlawful possession of illicit cannabis, under section 8 of the Cannabis Act.

• Resisting arrest under section 129 (a) of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Oyoukuluk is scheduled to appear in court on June 20 in Iqaluit.

The RCMP did not state what substance Oyoukuluk is charged with possessing.

Section 5 (2) of the CDSA covers many substances, including heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, amphetamines, LSD, magic mushrooms, as well as cannabis and cannabis derivatives like hash.