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After first responders raised the alarm of five deaths suspected to be linked to drugs this week, public health officials were stepping up warnings, a local pharmacist reports an uptick in demand for the opioid antidote naloxone and the region’s coroner is working to investigate the causes of death.

Two men died Thursday at a home on Hinchey Avenue in Mechanicsville where police and paramedics responded at 5:38 p.m. The deaths “were not suspicious, but drug use is being investigated as a contributing factor,” police said.

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On Monday, police said that they responded to three incidents involving five people needing emergency care for possible drug overdose within 14 hours. Three people died.

On Tuesday, the Ottawa Overdose Prevention and Response Task Force issued an alert about an uptick in suspected overdose-related deaths and injuries which, based on preliminary testing, was suspected to be linked to cocaine cut with fentanyl. Investigations were underway to confirm the source.

“Always remember that anything can be cut with fentanyl or carfentanil,” Ottawa Public Health said in renewed warnings. “Don’t use alone (and) always carry naloxone.

“An overdose is a medical emergency (and) the first step is always to call 911.”