The Weyburn Police Service issued a public alert on Saturday, warning residents that cocaine contaminated with fentanyl is believed to be circulating in Weyburn, after the policereceived credible information that the drug was present in Weyburn and that more than one person had become ill as a result of its use.
The Weyburn police were not involved in any overdose or suspicious situations over the weekend, nor do they believe that anyone sought medical attention as a result of an overdose or illness caused by fentanyl.
Given the recent occurrences in both Saskatoon and Maidstone, where now a total of five people have died in suspected fentanyl overdoses, and the release from the RCMP that fentanyl-laced cocaine was believed to be circulating in other smaller areas of the province, the city police are taking this information as credible and serious.
RCMP in Kamsack and Maidstone responded to reports of people who had taken cocaine-fentanyl, with two people dying from the incident at Maidstone.
In their statement on this incident, the RCMP said, “Public safety is a concern in situations like this. Therefore, the RCMP again wish to warn the public of the dangers of consuming illicit drugs from unregulated sources. Street drugs are often represented as one thing but can unknowingly contain other substances such as fentanyl. This particular drug may still be circulating in Saskatchewan. Contact should be completely avoided and police should be notified.
“If any member of the public has illicit drugs they are concerned may contain fentanyl or carfentanil, they should leave the area and immediately call 911. Do not handle or touch them. After calling 911, the appropriate resources will be deployed. Fentanyl, carfentanil and other illicit opioids continue to be a top priority for the RCMP. We are collaborating with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to actively address this issue by pursuing criminal networks fueling this public health threat.”
Weyburn police urge anyone who has any suspicions of fentanyl contamination to call 9-1-1 or the Weyburn Police Service to arrange for examination and safe destruction of the drug. Anyone wishing to turn in a suspicious drug may do so without fear of arrest or prosecution. Recent changes to legislation now protect anyone from prosecution where they report a medical emergency to themselves or another as a result of a drug overdose but are found to be in possession of the drug when EMS and police arrive.
Fentanyl is extremely dangerous and even a very small amount can cause serious injury and death if ingested.
