North West OPP warn of drug overdose increases – potential batch of fatal street drugs circulating

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are warning the public of the recent increase in drug overdoses in the North West Region. Concerns have been raised that there could be a potential batch of fatal street drugs circulating in the area.

“Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid. You can’t see it. You can’t smell it. You can’t taste it. Fentanyl can be lethal in small quantities. If someone’s drug choice is mixed with or contains fentanyl, it can potentially kill them.” Detective Staff Sgt. Curtis Peckford

If you count the two recent suspected overdoses in the North West Region on the 8^th of September that brings the total number of fatal overdoses to 10 since January 2021. In addition there have been a total of 73 non-fatal overdoses where emergency responders or the public have administered Naloxone to save the victim’s life.

With the rise of overdose deaths in the region police are warning residents that if you sell opioids to someone and they die, you can face charges of manslaughter or criminal negligence causing death.

 “We will hold those people who are trafficking these harmful substances in our communities accountable for these deaths. Anytime that we disrupt a criminal operation, we send a very clear message that police will identify and aggressively pursue those individuals who threaten the safety of our citizens.” Chief Superintendent Bryan MacKillop

The current overdose investigations are ongoing under the direction of the Northwest Region Crime Unit.

Members of the public with information regarding the trafficking of illegal street drugs are asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Online information can be provided at ontariocrimestoppers.ca

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The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provide policing services throughout Ontario. Our officers are responsible for policing over one million square kilometres of land and waterways. They provide frontline policing services to more than 320 Ontario municipalities and patrol over 126,000 kilometres of provincial roadways.

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