Two deaths in Olalla last week are suspected to be linked to a rash of overdoses in the South Okanagan.
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October 16, 2015 - 3:52 PM
PENTICTON - It’s not known yet what substance is responsible for seven overdoses and two deaths last week in the South Okanagan.
"Two deaths in Olalla are suspected to be related to an overdose, but that has not been confirmed," Cpl. Sean Hall with the RCMP’s Regional General Investigation Section says.
Hall says seven others in the South Okanagan were treated for overdoses, which are suspected to be opiate-related. There is also some suspicion that heroin laced with fentanyl could be behind the overdoses.
“At this time... we don’t know,” he says.
Police continue to caution drug users about the dangers of using illicit substances.
“There is no safe way to use drugs. Even straight heroin can be potentially lethal in a single dose. Everyone runs a risk,” Hall says.
The overdoses prompted warnings to be issued to drug users by both Interior Health and the Osoyoos and Oliver RCMP detachments last week.
Interior Health spokesperson Tara Gostelow says she hopes test results will be available early next week.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015