A recent news article published by CTV News and authored by Avery MacRae discussed the increasing number of overdose deaths among the homeless population in St. John, especially as freezing temperatures have set in. According to the analysis, many people experiencing homelessness turn to substance use as a survival mechanism to cope with the harsh conditions. Moreover, the increased toxicity of street drugs, particularly fentanyl and carfentanil, has resulted in more fatal overdoses.

“We’ve [heard] firsthand accounts from our clients that say a lot of it is survival,” said Avenue B Harm Reduction executive director Laura MacNeill. She also noted that people aren’t necessarily turning to substance because it’s “fun.” “If you were out in the streets and you don’t have a place to go, I can imagine I would also make the choice to do what I could to make it less painful,” she added.

While illicit drug use on the streets has always been a long-standing concern in Saint John, the toxicity of drugs currently circulating today is more dangerous than ever. Chief Gary Forward recently updated Fredericton’s public safety committee, reporting that drug seizures are at an all-time high, with fentanyl now surpassing cocaine in seizures. This includes carfentanil, an even more potent and deadly version of fentanyl. As a result, overdose calls have nearly tripled in Saint John, leading to nine deaths this year.

So far in 2025, there have been 15 deaths due to fatal overdoses in Saint John’s homeless communities, according to Fresh Start executive director Melanie Vautour, with four deaths occurring in recent weeks. Moreover, she added that even those who are able to manage their substance use tend to increase their usage to cope with the winter months. “We have the magic pills that make sure you’re not hungry and you’re not cold, and that’s just the truth on the street,” said Vautour. “Substance use for many starts as a survival mechanism and then becomes like an actual substance abuse problem and, in winter, we see that increase just as a means of trying to survive and not really succumb to the elements.”

While officials do not encourage substance use, they advise individuals who do to test their drugs first to understand what they are consuming. Avenue B currently offers two machines for anonymous drug testing. “Folks that have administered naloxone, both their clients and our community partners are saying that it’s increasing the amount of naloxone that’s needed to bring somebody back,” said MacNeill.