City police news release…
In April of 2017 officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Drug Enforcement Unit seized a small amount of a substance believed to be fentanyl during a criminal investigation.

Officers then submitted a sample of the substance to Health Canada to be analyzed. In March of this year, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service received a report back from Health Canada indicating that the substance contained a mixture of caffeine, Fentanyl and Carfentanyl.

This is the first time that Carfentanyl has been seized in our community. Carfentanyl is an analogue of Fentanyl that is 100 times more powerful than Fentanyl.

If you suspect that a person has consumed illicit narcotics and is suffering from an overdose please contact emergency medical services immediately. Early signs of overdose may include;

” Drowsiness,
” Slow heart rate,
” Trouble with breathing,
” Clammy cold skin; and,
” Trouble walking or talking

Members of the public are reminded of the dangers of opioid use and of the fact that it is impossible to know exactly what is contained in illicit narcotics. Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service continue to work with our partners at the Drug Strategy so that we may reduce the harm caused by substance abuse in our city.

Friends and family members of persons known to use illicit drugs are encouraged to inform themselves about the availability and use of Naloxone. Anyone with any questions about how to use or obtain naloxone is asked to contact the Sault Ste. Marie Drug Strategy.