Police say toxic drugs are circulating through northeastern Ontario
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.
Fentanyl -- part of the opioid crisis. (File photo/ShutterStock/Thomas Andre Fure)
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.
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 Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves. (Supplied/Nishnawbe Aski Police Service)
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.
Anyone with information about ongoing drug-trafficking activity is asked to contact their nearest NAPS detachment or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service crest on a brick wall. (File Photo/CTV News Northern Ontario)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.