Incident Date

The Thunder Bay Police Service is issuing a community safety alert in relation to an apparent spike in overdose cases.

Police, in conjunction with members of the health-care sector, have witnessed an apparent spike in drug overdose cases that require health-care intervention or hospitalization.

This is a real-time situation and therefore no statistics are available, but the anecdotal observations from frontline police and health-care workers gives us reason to believe that street drugs with increased toxicity are now in circulation.

Anyone consuming these narcotics should never do so alone. Always have someone with you who can assist in case of a medical emergency, and please ensure Naloxone kits are readily available. Anyone treated for an overdose should still seek medical attention even if they appear to have fully recovered.

Please note that Naloxone may not always reverse the effects of a drug overdose, and that using narcotics always comes with extraordinary safety risks.

If you are concerned about drugs being sold in your neighbourhood please call police at (807) 684-1200 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.

If you have anxiety about coming forward to police, we strongly encourage you to speak with a family member or friend who may be able to come forward on your behalf.