Yukon has handed down its first sentence for drug-related death.
WHITEHORSE, Yukon—Yukon's territorial court has issued its first manslaughter sentence in a drug overdose death. Jared Skookum, 34, was sentenced to two years in custody less a day for selling two points of "down," or opioids, to Stephanie Pye, 36, who was a member of the Liard First Nation.
Pye died from an overdose of fentanyl and etizolam, commonly known as "street valium."
Skookum, a citizen of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, was arrested for trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance. He was subsequently charged with manslaughter in March 2023.
He pleaded not guilty in 2023 but changed his plea earlier this year to guilty, asking for consideration for his FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) diagnosis, remorse for Pye's death, and efforts to rehabilitate himself in pre-trial custody.
Skookum was released because of time already spent in jail during pre-trial custody, to the dismay of Pye's family. He's now back in jail for unrelated charges.
The sentencing is the first of its kind in Yukon, and may be used to set precedents. In recent years, other jurisdictions, including B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan have laid manslaughter charges in relation to overdose deaths.
