York Regional Police are warning residents of the dangers of fentanyl use after police responded to three calls related to drug overdoses that led to three deaths in two days in Markham.
The overdoses were reported in the area of Robinson Street and Highway 48 between April 28 and 29. Police say three people died, and one was treated in hospital. Investigators believe these overdoses are connected to fentanyl.
In light of these incidents, York Regional Police are urging residents to take precautions when using drugs. Never use drugs alone and have a Naloxone kit available for an emergency, police say. Avoid mixing drugs and be very careful about the dosage.
Learn the signs and symptoms of an overdose and call 911 immediately if you think you or a friend could be overdosing, police urge.
Symptoms of an overdose include slow, irregular and shallow respirations, pinpoint pupils, muscle rigidity, seizures and unconsciousness leading to coma. Minor effects include dizziness, drowsiness, headache, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting.
Police also remind that if fentanyl is mistaken for another less-potent opioid like morphine, heroin or oxycodone, overdoses can happen quickly. Depending on how it’s administered, the user may not notice the difference until it’s too late. Moreover, some drugs can contain contaminants that are hard or impossible to detect, police said.
