At 9:22 a.m. on Sunday July 19, the OPP were dispatched to a report of a person not awake and not breathing by Kenora Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the 200 block of First Street South.
Kenora OPP attended immediately and assisted EMS but the person was pronounced dead at the scene. A post mortem is to take place in Toronto later this week to determine the cause of death.
Updates will be made available as the investigation progresses. The incident is being investigated by the Kenora OPP, the OPP Crime Unit and the Forensic Identification Unit.
On Thursday, Kenora OPP saved another man who was suffering a drug overdose, by administering Naloxone, which reverses the effect of Fentanyl and other opioid drugs.
Police are again warning people about the harmful effects of a drug called “yellow down” or “purple down” that is believed to contain fentanyl.
Last week, two Fort Frances residents required medical assistance after using what witnesses called a yellow substance, suspected to contain fentanyl, which is a potent synthetic opioid, fatal in doses as small as two mg. One resident survived, and was charged with trafficking. The second individual died. The OPP reported last week that it responded to five additional overdose calls over a 24 hour period in the town of Fort Frances.
Police are asking residents to know the signs and symptoms of an overdose, and call 911 if they find an individual in distress. Signs of an overdose include:
- Difficulty walking, talking and staying awake
- blue lips or nails
- very small pupils
- cold and clammy skin
- dizziness and confusion
- extreme drowsiness
- choking, gurgling or snoring sounds
- slow, weak or no breathing
- Inability to wake up, even when shaken or shouted at
If anyone has any information regarding this incident, contact the Kenora OPP at (807) 548-5534 or 1-888-310-1122, or call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
