By Charles Lefebvre

Public warning

Police concerned dangerous batch of drugs are in city following two overdoses

Nov 28, 2019 | 12:12 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Medicine Hat Police say a pair of suspected opioid overdoses in Medicine Hat Thursday morning have them concerned about what chemicals have currently been mixed with current street drugs.

They’re warning people that opioids being sold illegally in Medicine Hat may be highly potent.

“Potentially, there’s a batch out there that can kill people, and that concerns us,” said Inspector Brent Secondiak with the Medicine Hat Police Service, who says this is the first time he can recall police issuing a warning about a specific drug.

The two overdoses occurred at separate homes on the Southwest Hill between Second Street and Fifth Street, and the calls were one hour apart. Paramedics were able to successfully reverse the overdoses with Narcan. According to Secondiak, the two refused further medical attention.

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Secondiak says the two people were using heroin, and suspect there was something mixed in with the drugs. He says the drugs have been sent to a lab for additional testing.

“We really are concerned with the safety of everyone in the city, but those who use street drugs are at particular high risk because of the unknown nature of some of the drugs that are consumed,” he said.

Secondiak adds officers are also working to find people help for their addictions. They work with Alberta Health Services and the Canadian Mental Health Association and inform those arrested on drug calls about the resources available to help them in Medicine Hat.

“Their job is to reach out to those who have been in contact with the police and provide them with supports in the community to hopefully get them off their addictions and into a clean and sober lifestyle,” said Secondiak.

Police continue to investigate the source of the drugs. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police service at 403-529-8481 or submit a tip through the Medicine Hat Police Service app.