Image Credit: Contributed
September 25, 2022 - 8:50 AM
Five people in the Central Okanagan have died due to overdoses, prompting the RCMP to warn the public to use safe practices.
"The Kelowna and West Kelowna RCMP have attended three calls for drug overdoses, resulting in the loss of five lives in the last nine hours," according to a Kelowna RCMP press release issued Sept. 24.
Starting at 8:13 a.m., the B.C. Ambulance service advised police they were at the scene of an overdose at 800 block of Saucier Avenue. Officers attended, observed signs of drug use and found a 32-year-old Kelowna man who had died in his bed.
Since this first death, police officers attended two more scenes, resulting in five deaths yesterday.
"The RCMP are very concerned and are warning the public that more overdoses are possible," said Cst. Mike Della-Paolera, Kelowna RCMP media relations officer, in a press release.
The deaths happened quickly after the individuals ingested the drugs, "which tells me there's something in this batch of drugs that's pretty toxic, we don't know what that is," Della-Paolera said, adding he's never seen five overdose deaths in a day in his career.
RCMP officers are currently connecting with shelters in the area to identify the victims.
Interior Health normally puts out an alert of toxic drug supplies but nothing has been posted as of 9 a.m., Sept. 25.
Interior Health did contact the RCMP after they issued the announcement, Della-Paolera said.
"It was happening rapidly and we just thought we needed to get something out to try and warn people," he said.
The deaths were reported at three scenes in both Kelowna and West Kelowna. No additional deaths were reported as of this morning, Sept. 25.
The RCMP asks people to use a supervised consumption site, do not use drugs alone, test the drugs before you use them, carry naloxone and spread awareness to keep people safe.
Interior Health could not be immediately reached for comment.
- This story was updated at 9:06 a.m. with a comment from Della-Paolera.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2022