By Shaun Penner

Drug Alert

Two separate drug overdoses in Peace River leads to drug warning

Feb 28, 2021 | 11:16 PM

RCMP in Peace River are warning of possibly tainted street drugs circulating in the community after two separate overdoses on Saturday, which occurred 10 minutes apart at opposite ends of town.

Peace Regional RCMP attended the two separate residences at around 10 p.m. on Feb. 27, along with EMS personnel. Police say what they know at this time is that two individuals, a 44-year-old and a 55-year-old, consumed what they believed to be street drugs.

The 55-year-old believed they were taking heroin, while the 44-year-old injected what is described as a purple powder. Authorities say the 44-year-old had to be administered naloxone at the scene to reverse the effects of the overdose.

Both individuals were admitted to hospital.

“The Peace Regional RCMP are issuing a warning to the public tonight as it is suspected that the street drugs taken during these overdoses may have been contaminated with substances such as fentanyl or its analogues which could include carfentanil,” say authorities, in a release issued late Sunday night.

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RCMP add that had it not been for the fast actions of those around to call 911, and the immediate response by emergency medical personnel, these two individuals “may have had a very different outcome”.

“We are asking for any information that may lead us to the source of these drugs” said Cpl. Michelle Phillips of the Peace Regional RCMP, “These two events occurring so abruptly are worrisome due to the level of increased risk of overdose when fentanyl or carfentanil are involved.

“Anyone can help protect the public by providing information, sometimes all it takes is one small detail to save a life”

Peace Regional RCMP warn that someone showing signs of a fentanyl overdose may have slow, irregular and shallow breathing, pinpoint pupils, muscle stiffness, seizures and unconsciousness. Higher doses of the antidote naloxone are needed to treat an overdose.

Those who may be witness to an overdose but are hesitant to call 911 because of possible legal repercussions on themselves are reminded of the Good Samaritan Act, which provides some legal protections for people who experience or witness an overdose and call 911 or their local emergency number for help.

Full details on the act can be found here.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to come forward to the Peace Regional RCMP at 780-624-6677. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play store.