Vancouver police and health care providers are warning local drug users about a rash of drug overdoses in the Downtown Eastside.
Police said 11 non-fatal overdoses were reported on Monday alone from a variety of service providers, although the specific cause of the overdoses has not yet been determined.
Said VPD acting director Randy Fincham in a release: “The suspected drug appears to be purple in colour and overdoses may be as a result of the consumption of fentanyl” — a synthetic narcotic that is 50 to 100 times more toxic than other opioids. The dose must be carefully monitored to avoid accidental overdose.
Police said early signs of a fentanyl overdose include severe sleepiness; slow heartbeat; trouble breathing; slow, shallow breathing or snoring; cold, clammy skin; and trouble walking or talking.
If any of these signs are observed in someone who is believed to have taken illicit drugs, call 911 immediately, police said.
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