Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.
NAPS said the service has observed a significant spike in apparent opioid-related overdoses in communities within its northeast region this month – with some of these recent incidents proving fatal.
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Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, and it can often be made more dangerous when traffickers mix additional chemicals or cutting agents with it.
Fentanyl is often dyed in a variety of colours – however, investigators said they cannot provide a specific description of the drugs they suspect are causing this overdose spike because drug traffickers can change the colour of their product quickly.
“Such a description could present a false sense of security for users,” said police in a news release on Saturday.
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 please seek medical attention immediately even if the effects appear to have been reversed by Naloxone,” said police.
The alert came only days after a Toronto man was arrested in Thunder Bay with a thousand grams of cutting agents.
NAPS said the use of dangerous opioids like fentanyl is a symptom of serious addiction issues and encourages those who need it to seek help.
Individuals in Ontario can contact ConnexOntario online, by texting "CONNEX" to 247247 or by phone toll-free at 1-866-531-2600 to find mental health and addiction services available in their area.
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Anyone with information about ongoing drug-trafficking activity is asked to contact their nearest NAPS detachment or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
