Fentanyl is killing Brampton and Mississauga residents, with deaths more than doubling in the past three years.

Peel Regional Police say 37 people have died from Fentanyl use in Peel since 2014. There were eight deaths that year, followed by 12 in 2015 and 17 last year.

Police are warning the community about the risks as the fear of a Fentanyl crisis that has already hit Canada’s western provinces threatens to make its way here.

"We are closely monitoring developments as the Fentanyl issue makes its way from Western Canada," says Peel Insp. Taufic Saliba, the officer in charge of the Major Drugs and Vice Unit. "We liaise regularly with law enforcement agencies throughout Ontario and Canada."

Last year, hundreds died in Western Canada from opioid overdoses and this week Toronto Mayor John Tory announced his city is working toward a comprehensive plan to avert a similar crisis here. The province is helping pay for three safe injection sites in Toronto.

Peel police say they are also working with community stakeholders in Brampton and Mississauga to get ahead of the issue.

"We are developing mechanisms to track and report incidents of Fentanyl and other opioids as an important tool to monitor its impact and work with community partners to raise awareness and promote prevention," Saliba says.

Fentanyl is a painkiller used for chronic conditions. Overdose can bring on trouble breathing, resulting in respiratory and cardiac arrest, according to police. It is also immediately absorbed through your skin on contact, which poses a danger to emergency workers, also.

Peel police have been trained on the dangers of the drug, and instructed on how to handle it in its powder form to avoid exposure and absorption.

Police say it is important to educate the public about the dangers of the drug and the risks it poses, also.