POLICE ISSUE WARNING AFTER THREE fatal overdoses

City police warned narcotic drug users in the Peterborough area on Saturday to have Naloxone on hand when using opioids after the deaths of three people in two days due to overdoses.

The three deaths were unrelated and accidental, Staff Sgt. John Lyons stated.

Across Canada fentanyl is being mixed with other illicit drugs, putting users at risk when they don't know what has been mixed in and the potential strength of the dose, Lyons explained in a press release.

Fentanyl is a synthetic, shortacting analgesic and sedative meant for people in pain from serious illnesses.

"If an individual is going to use a drug, it is suggested that they consider doing so in the presence of another person for safety and that there is naloxone present," Lyons said.

"Naloxone is an opioid antidote that can reverse an overdose. Naloxone, once administered, can last for approximately 20 minutes to one hour, depending on the strength of the opioid, which allows an individual that may have overdosed to be treated medically."

Lyons also urges people to call

911 immediately if they suspect someone has overdosed on drugs. Naloxone is available free of charge from many pharmacies, Peterborough Public Health at 185 King St. and from PARN at 159 King St.

NOTE: Information about opiates and Naloxone are posted at peterboroughdrugstrategy.com.