A Community Safety alert has been issued for the Northeast region after a significant spike in apparent opioid-related overdoses in communities served by NAPS.
The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued the alert regarding the high potential of extremely toxic drugs circulating many of the communities in the Timmins area. A spokesperson from NAPS stated that there is concern of these drugs spreading to the whole of the NAPS service area, including communities here in the Northwest.
Some of these recent incidents have been fatal.
Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, and it can often be made more dangerous when drug traffickers mix additional chemicals (aka cutting agents) to their supply.
Police say that investigators cannot provide a specific description of the drugs suspected of causing this overdose spike because drug traffickers can change the colour of their product quickly and a description could present a false sense of security for users.
Community members are encouraged to keep a supply of Naloxone on hand, and monitor individuals suffering from a suspected opioid-related overdose.
If you, or anyone you know, suffers an overdose you are advised to immediately seek medical attention even if the effects appear to have been reversed by Naloxone.
If you have any information about ongoing drug-trafficking activity, you are encouraged to call your local NAPS detachment.
You can also submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Anyone who may be suffering form addiction is encouraged to seek help. Call the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction at 1-866-531-2600 to learn more.