Police in St. Thomas are warning the public to stay away from fentanyl and carfentanil after three people have overdosed since the end of October. One of the overdoses was fatal.

Fentanyl is a prescription opiod used by people with chronic pain. Carfenanil is an even-more toxic variant.

St. Thomas police said that the two substances are suspected in three overdoses. In two of those incidents, quick-acting paramedics are credited with being able to save the person.

“Unfortunately, a third person has passed away,” police said.

The force also notes that communities across Ontario are increasingly reporting the use of “bootleg” fentanyl, opiods that are much more toxic than morphine, produced for the black market and distinct from prescription fentanyl patchets.

The risk of overdose is increased because dosing is not exact with street drugs, authorities added. Fentanyl is already estimated to be 80 times more powerful than morphine and on the street can come laced with cocaine or heroin.

In the case of an overdose, police urge the public to call paramedics immediately.

“Naloxone is an antidote to overdose for fentanyl and is available free of charge to those who use substances, their friends and their family from several local pharmacies,” police said.

In a separate incident, a suspicious package in Vancouver has led to a London man being charged with importing and trafficking fentanyl.

danbrown@postmedia.com

Twitter@DanatLFPress