The City of Belleville is not the only place experiencing an increased number of drug overdoses.
Ontario Provincial Police are warning about the potentially lethal dangers of opioids noting that detachments across eastern Ontario also continue to see a high number of overdose cases.
Bancroft OPP report they have investigated several suspected drug overdoses in the last few months, one of them resulting in a death.
Police say drugs bought on the street may contain unknown substances and that some substances can interfere with the life-saving effects of Naloxone use in an overdose.
As a law enforcement organization, the OPP say their role is to investigate opioid-related incidents with an acute focus on the apprehension of those who produce, import and traffic illegal drugs.
At the centre of the OPP’s response to the opioid crisis is the spirit of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act which is intended to save lives. It applies to anyone seeking emergency support during an overdose, including the person experiencing an overdose. The act protects the person who seeks help, whether they stay or leave the overdose scene before the arrival of first responders. The act also protects anyone else who may be at the scene when help arrives.
Those looking for support may contact their primary health care provider, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health or Addiction & Mental Health Ontario.
If anyone has information regarding overdose incidents, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
