Serious Issue with Drug Overdoses in Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Police are reporting on two apparent drug overdoses which happened on Saturday May 16, 2015 that officials say should be a major cause for concern regarding the safety of illicit drugs.

TBPS officers were called to a north-side motel at approximately 2:00PM on Saturday. Superior North EMS and Thunder Bay Fire were on scene providing emergency medical assistance to an unconscious twenty-five-year old male. The male was transported to hospital where he remains in very serious condition in the Intensive Care Unit.

The investigation reveals that the male had been using more than one illicit drug in the time leading up to the call for emergency assistance.

The male is the victim of a drug overdose.

Dangerous Outcomes:

A second incident was reported to police involving a twenty-seven-year old male. Police had responded to a report of an unwanted person who had been on a property on Cameron Street just after 5:00PM S on Saturday. The male was located at the corner of May and Cameron Street a short time later. He did not appear to be coherent and was taken into custody under the Mental Health Act, and transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

While at the hospital, a further investigation revealed that the male had a suspicious powder in his possession. Officers seized the powder and returned to police headquarters to process the evidence. During a routine test of the powder, a potentially dangerous chemical reaction occurred. Thunder Bay Fire was called to the station just after midnight to assist in handling this hazardous substance. Further testing will be required to determine the exact nature of the substance.

The twenty-seven-year old male is in the ICU at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in very serious condition. The officer who was exposed to the substance at TBPS Headquarters on Balmoral Avenue has sought medical attention as a precaution.

Thunder Bay Police are issuing a Warning: “It is not known at this time if these two incidents have a connection regarding the suspicious powder linked to the 27 year old male. Street drugs are often altered by the introduction of cutting agents in the process of preparing them for sale by drug dealers. There is cause for concern when dealing with these substances as demonstrated by the chemical reaction which took place.

“The origin of street drugs is never certain and these drugs can pose a very real threat to users. Combining drugs and other intoxicants further increases the risk. Death can result. The use of dangerous chemicals in the production and distribution of drugs also puts emergency responders at risk”.

Anyone with information on these incidents should contact police or Crime Stoppers. www.tipsubmit.com

Thunder Bay Police are asking people with any information to contact them directly and not message them with information online or on Social Media.  Contact Police by phone or Crime Stoppers via the web link.