TISDALE — The Tisdale RCMP is warning the public to beware of potentially contaminated street drugs after three drug overdoses occurred within the town over December – two resulting in deaths.
Cst. Ryan Fraser of the Tisdale RCMP said that they suspect fentanyl in the two cases and that the fentanyl was taken with knowledge, but are still waiting for toxicology reports.
In Canada, individuals who report an overdose are protected by the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, which applies to anyone seeking emergency support during an overdose. This includes the person experiencing the overdose, the person seeking help, whether they stay or leave from the scene before help arrives, as well as anyone else who is at the scene when help arrives.
Fraser said that he wants residents to be aware that RCMP officers are trained to administer Naloxone as well as provide CPR. Naloxone is a fast-acting drug used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.
“Overdoses in our area are very rare. Having three in the past month is significant. Please, if you are using street drugs, don’t use alone. If you suspect you or someone else is experiencing an overdose, call 911. You will not get into trouble with the police for reporting an overdose. You will save a life.”
According to the Government of Canada, fentanyl and other fentanyl-like drugs, such as carfentanil, are increasingly being found in other illegal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine – but may also be found in counterfeit pills that are made to look like prescription opioids.
Fentanyl is odourless and tasteless, 20 to 40 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, creating a high overdose risk.
“It’s becoming more used, people are just using straight fentanyl,” Fraser said. “It’s basically the new heroin.”
To help reduce the use of illicit drugs in the community, Fraser has developed a drug-awareness presentation intended for the public, aimed particularly at middle school and high school students. During the one-hour presentation, Tisdale detachment officers will discuss the different types of drugs, their dangers and ways to avoid them. Fraser said they hope to deliver it to local schools in the coming semester, but is dependent on COVID-19 regulations.
