3 dead in suspected opioid poisonings in Halton Hills, police say

CBC

26 May 2024 at 4:43 pm·2-min read

Halton Regional Police are urging the public to be aware and vigilant in the wake of three deaths by suspected opioid poisonings in the Town of Halton Hills since Friday. (Richard Buchan/The Canadian Press - image credit)

Three people are dead of suspected opioid poisonings in the Town of Halton Hills, Ont., police say.

In a public safety message on Sunday, Halton Regional Police said two men and one woman died of "suspected inhalation of an as yet unidentified substance" in two separate incidents of suspected opioid poisoning in Halton Hills, west of Mississauga, since Friday.

Police responded to both incidents and the coroner's officer as well as Halton police's criminal investigations bureau are investigating.

Members of the public are urged to be aware and vigilant in the wake of the deaths, police said.

"As the quality of street drugs is unpredictable and any drug can be cut with (or contaminated by) other agents or drugs which can be fatal in very minute amounts, go slow. Know your tolerance and always use a small sample of a drug first to check its strength," police said in the message.

"Due to the possibility of opioid contamination or poisoning, it is recommended that Naloxone be used in all suspected drug poisonings."

Police recommend that members of the public know the signs of a drug poisoning:

Difficulty walking, talking, or staying awake.
Blue lips or nails.
Very small pupils.
Cold and clammy skin.
Dizziness and confusion.
Extreme drowsiness.
Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds.
Slow, weak, or no breathing.
Inability to wake up, even when shaken or shouted at.

People are urged to call 911 right away if they suspect someone has been poisoned by a drug. Halton police officers carry Naxolone and "we want to assist," the message said.

Police said The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides legal protections for people seeking emergency support during a drug poisoning and that includes the person experiencing the poisoning.

The legislation means members of the public, including young people, will not be charged for offences such as simple possession if they call 911 in an emergency.

Anyone with information about the suspected poisonings is urged to call police.

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