Yesterday was National Fentanyl Awareness Day. The growing crisis of the illegal use of fentanyl is impacting many communities, including Ottawa. Ottawa Police Chief, Adam Weingartner, says that for several years the department has warned about the risk of using fentanyl and those warnings are unfortunately coming true. Several death investigations related to fentanyl are ongoing, and each week officers are finding more and more fentanyl in Ottawa. During the week of Christmas 2022 officers saved multiple people from fentanyl overdoses and investigated one death. He says that fentanyl use and distribution is a priority focus for the department and drug unit detectives, and you should expect to see aggressive enforcement to protect the community from fentanyl impacts.
Weingartner says Ottawa police have interrupted several fentanyl distribution networks but more remain and there is work to be done to stop them. Fentanyl is responsible for more American youth drug deaths than heroin, cocaine, benzos and other prescription drug deaths combined. He urges parents to spread the word and to talk with their children and family members about the dangers associated with fentanyl use and accidental exposure that can lead to medical emergencies, including death.
