 | Calling fentanyl a cross-Canada scourge, a judge sent two dealers of the deadly opioid to the penitentiary for extended terms. "Its abuse has reached epidemic proportions," Justice Michael Epstein said. "It has taken a terrible toll on the lives of those who abuse it and has resulted in hundreds of deaths." Epstein sent Richard Shevalier, 47, to prison for eight years and Alexandra Clark, 31, for 43 months. Shevalier and Clark were found guilty of possession of fentanyl and meth for the purpose of trafficking and possession of heroin and cocaine. |
 | Epstein referred to comments made the head of the drugs and firearms branch of Waterloo Regional Police. In 2015, regional police seized two grams of powdered fentanyl. Last year, they seized more than 600 grams. "There has been a major increase in this region in the number of medical calls relating to drug overdoses recently," the judge added. In January 2016, there were 13 calls. In January 2017, the number jumped to 64. |  |
