Timmins Police Chief Sydney Lecky said officers have been involved in six drug-related search warrants over the past three weeks. Lecky said the enforcement activity is part of an effort to address drug trafficking linked to recent violence in the community. “There was some violence earlier this summer… a couple of homicides and shootings and this is in part response to that, to make sure that we do try and keep a lid on things,” said Lecky. Police are not the only emergency service dealing with the impacts of the unregulated drug supply. The Cochrane District Services Board’s Paramedic Service is also responding to a sharp increase in suspected opioid poisonings. Deputy Chief Seamus Murphy said paramedics have responded to more than 20 suspected overdoses over a three-day period. “In the last three days, we’ve seen a vast rise in our opiate call volume and opioid poisonings. We’ve had over 20 overdoses in the last three days and no fatalities. Thankfully so far,” said Murphy. He added that paramedics are also seeing signs that tranquilizers may be present in the unregulated drug supply. “We’re finding, with the vital signs and the patient findings, that there’s tranquilizers that are tainting the unregulated product right now,” said Murphy. Murphy told CTV News some patients begin breathing again after receiving naloxone but remain unresponsive or heavily impaired. The concerns come as the paramedic service continues its REACH mobile outreach program, which is designed to connect with vulnerable people before some situations become 911 calls. Murphy said the program has made contact with more than 2,400 people so far, although the figure includes repeat contacts. The program has also distributed more than 500 naloxone kits and about 1,800 water bottles. Murphy said paramedics have helped mitigate approximately 120 calls and have treated more than 94 individuals through the outreach vehicle. He added the program also helps paramedics determine who requires emergency medical care while connecting others with appropriate community services. REACH operates daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is a pilot project involving several community agencies, including Timmins and District Hospital. The program is scheduled to operate through Nov. 30. Paramedics continue to remind people that anyone witnessing a suspected overdose should call 911 and administer naloxone if available.
