Windsor health unit blames OPP for carfentanyl alert delay

Other communities were alerted about a potentially fatal drug found in Tecumseh before residents in Windsor-Essex were told.

According to Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, the delay is due to not receiving information from the OPP quickly enough.

"It's all about the data. It's all about the information that we receive," said medical officer of health Dr. WajidAhmed.

Residents in Windsor-Essex were first alerted about the presence of carfentanil in the region last Friday.

That's three days after residents in Waterloo region received analert about the drug. Carfentanil is warned to be50 times more potent thanfentanyl,and it can be fatal. In the alerts issued in both regions, the drug was said to have resembled marijuana.

According to Ahmed, there's room for improvement when it comes to getting information.

"We want to make sure that we work with our community agencies to get those alerts in a timely manner," said Ahmed.

CBC News reached out to OPP on Friday, and again on Monday to get a response.

On Monday afternoon, Const. Jim Root said more information would be provided Tuesday when he has "clarification" on the situation.

CBC News also reached out to Waterloo region's health unit, but was advised to contact the OPP.

A similar product was recently seized in Ohiocontaining heroin and fentanyl, according to both alerts.

Windsor police say it hasn't received any reports of this product in the city but warns that people should take precautions when buying certain drugs.

It's currently unknown how much thecarfentanil was seized, if it was being sold and where in Tecumseh it was found.

CBC News is also trying to determine why residents in Waterloo region received an alert before residents in Windsor-Essex.