Overdose suspected in two South Okanagan deaths

PENTICTON – It’s not known yet what substance is responsible for seven overdoses and two deaths last week in the South Okanagan.

"Two deaths in Olalla are suspected to be related to an overdose, but that has not been confirmed," Cpl. Sean Hall with the RCMP’s Regional General Investigation Section says.

Hall says seven others in the South Okanagan were treated for overdoses, which are suspected to be opiate-related. There is also some suspicion that heroin laced with fentanyl could be behind the overdoses.

“At this time… we don’t know,” he says.

Police continue to caution drug users about the dangers of using illicit substances.

“There is no safe way to use drugs. Even straight heroin can be potentially lethal in a single dose. Everyone runs a risk,” Hall says.

The overdoses prompted warnings to be issued to drug users by both Interior Health and the Osoyoos and Oliver RCMP detachments last week.

Interior Health spokesperson Tara Gostelow says she hopes test results will be available early next week.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

Steve Arstad's Stories

More Articles