Public warned again about purple heroin
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/12/2019 (2161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Local advocates and police are warning the public that purple heroin may once again be circulating in Brandon.
Purple heroin, or purple H, which first appeared in Manitoba approximately a year ago, is a potentially fatal concoction of opioids known to include anything from oxycontin, fentanyl, carfentanil and sometimes morphine or other opiates.
In a post on the Westman Families of Addicts public page, the group warned purple heroin might have either returned or is still circulating in Brandon and urged drug users to exercise caution.
Danielle Lalonde, founder of Westman Families of Addicts, said in an email they have heard from some substance users that purple heroin had reappeared and wanted to warn both the community and general public just in case.
Brandon police did respond to the sudden death of a 38-year-old man early Tuesday morning that is suspected to have been an overdose, Const. Myran Hamm said, who added it is not known at this time whether purple heroin was involved.
The relatively new street drug started showing up in Brandon in July, Hamm said, and has been on police radar ever since.
“It’s still in our community, and any time there’s an unknown substance like that in the community obviously it’s a concern to not only police, but the public,” Hamm said. “There’s no quality control when it comes to street drugs. … Any time you’re buying any unknown or illicit substance from a drug dealer, you’re taking a risk with your life. You’re rolling the dice every time you ingest something unknown into your body.”
In an interview with The Brandon Sun in July, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba medical director Dr. Ginette Poulin said people should be familiar with what an overdose looks like so they can call 911 immediately or administer naloxone when available.
People experiencing an overdose will appear groggy or tired and have slowed breathing, Poulin said, and their skin might turn a bluish colour.
Users should also be aware of the risks, she added, and make sure to have naloxone on hand.
Lalonde said she hopes to foster discussions surrounding Brandon’s addiction crisis at the forum Westman Families of Addicts is hosting Dec. 10 at Sokol Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information on the forum, email westmanfamofaddicts@gmail.com.
» edebooy@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @edebooy