BAD HEROIN ON VANCOUVER STREETS HAS KILLED TWO WOMEN, POLICE WARN

Potentially fatal heroin being sold on Vancouver streets has killed
two women and landed another person in hospital with serious
side-effects, police warn.

All three incidents occurred in the past four days.

The two women, aged 19 and 26, died last Thursday and Friday night
after being found about a block apart in southeast Vancouver.

One woman was found in a suite in the 2400-block of Kingsway between
Nanaimo and Slocan Street while the other was found behind a gas
station at the corner of Kingsway and Nanaimo.

Police are awaiting toxicology results.

"Potentially three incidents in four days is very worrisome for us,"
said Const. Lindsey Houghton.

"You'll recall back in 2005 in the span of three weeks we had 10
deaths from heroin overdoses."

"We don't know if this is just 'bad heroin', or if it's cut with
something. If it has some unknown substance in it, or if it's extra
pure."

So the VPD is warning drug users to be extremely cautious and use the
services of INSITE, which has medical personnel on hand that can help
if there are problems.

Houghton said the VPD has notified a number of local agencies,
including INSITE, Vancouver Coastal Health, other local police forces,
and the B.C. Ambulance Service.

"Anyone seeing someone appearing to be in medical distress is urged to
immediately call 911 and if you are a drug user who has used and don't
feel well, seek medical attention or help immediately."