Delta Police are again warning drug users of the dangers of illicit drugs after attending to nine overdoses of what is believed to be fentanyl-tainted drugs in a 20 minute period.
Overnight, Delta Police almost simultaneously received separate reports of overdoses from four separate locations. In each case the victims reported respiratory breathing problems, including one person in full cardiac arrest. The Delta Fire Department and British Columbia Ambulance Service attended all four scenes and successfully used Narcan on eight of nine individuals.
These nine individuals were recreational users who believed they were using cocaine.
Chief Constable Neil Dubord said, “At this point, it is not enough to simply remind drug users to ‘know your source’. The motivation of drug dealing individuals to make money clearly supersedes their social responsibility in this equation and they are selling drugs contaminated with other more devastating drugs to unsuspecting users.
Despite the ongoing warnings and media coverage, many drug users still appear to be completely unaware or unprepared to deal with the presence of drugs like fentanyl in the drugs they are using. With last night’s overdoses it is miraculous that all of the patients recovered and we are not this morning talking about nine overdose fatalities.”
Delta Police have seized drugs from the scene and will be conducting an investigation in an attempt to determine the source. The cases are suspected to be linked.
For people who choose to use drugs, Delta Police are offering the following reminders:
Fentanyl and w-18 cannot be detected by looks, smell or taste and are being misrepresented and sold by drug dealers as other drugs
Do not use alone and start with a small amount
Do not mix with other substances as it can increase the risk of overdose
Use where help is easily available
Do not be afraid to call 9-1-1 for assistance
At any time, any information that the public may have can be forwarded to delta police at 604.946.4411 or crime stoppers bc at 1.800.222.8477 or www.Solvecrime.Ca
