The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is issuing another warning to residents after a rash of deaths were reported over a two week period.
Emergency service providers and the police are advising drug users to exercise caution because in 16 days they responded to 11 deaths believed to be drug related. The overdose deaths occurred in the Downtown Eastside and in East Vancouver neighbourhoods. According to police, it is not known at this time what toxic substance is responsible, but Fentanyl may be the cause.
The victims range in age from 20 to 56 and not all were known or experienced drug users. The VPD are reminding all drug users to exercise caution if they do decide to take non-regulated narcotics. Early signs of a fentanyl overdose include severe sleepiness, slow heartbeat, trouble breathing or slow, shallow breathing or snoring, cold, clammy skin, and trouble with walking or talking.
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