'More potent batch of fentanyl' in Guelph, police warn after overdoses

A 'more potent batch of fentanyl' that is purple or rainbow coloured powder may be behind a rise in overdoses in Guelph this past weekend, police say.

On Sunday, the Guelph Police Service's drug unit put out a tweet saying officers responded to an increased number of suspected fentanyl overdoses over the weekend.

"Police discourage the use of all illegal substances but want to warn the public that there may be a more potentbatch of fentanyl on the streets. Drug users should carry naloxone, never use alone or use at the supervised injection site," the tweet said.

Police also asked that if anyone sees someone overdosing to call 911 immediately.

Later on Monday, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health issued a health alert about 11 overdoses in the previous 48 hours. That alert also highlighted the rainbow-coloured and dark purple fentanyl.

"Reports also indicate certain overdoses have required three to four doses of naloxone toreverse," the health alert said.