Woodstock Teen Dies in Suspected Overdose

Monday, 1 April 2019 at 17:52

Woodstock Police are investigating after 17 year old teen died from a suspected overdose that he suffered on the weekend.

UPDATE 4/2/2019: Police are warning the public about blue and green fentanyl that has caused a significant number of overdoses in Woodstock. Police say these strains are extremely toxic causing an immediate overdose situation.

WOODSTOCK - A 17 year old youth from Woodstock has died from a suspected overdose over the weekend.

The teen was one of 6 people who suffered a suspected overdose during a 48 hour period in Woodstock alone. He was taken off life support today. Woodstock Police have launched an investigation into his death and will not be releasing any other information at this time.

Inspector Marci Shelton with the Woodstock Police says they are warning the public about the dangers of opioid abuse.

"We want to make sure that our community is safe, we know there are users of fentanyl and other opioid drugs out there. We want to make sure that they are safe but also those that come into contact with them that they are safe as well. We want people to call 9-1-1 immediately if they suspect any sort of substance abuse and the person is showing any signs of overdose, it is important to be educated on what is safe and what is not safe out there."

Shelton says they are encouraging drug users to get the help that they need to combat your addiction.

"If you are a user or you know someone that is, it is important to attend your local pharmacy and get a Naloxone kit, no questions asked, be safe and do all you can do to keep our community safe. We also want people to seek help and we do have different organizations in the community that can help. You can go the hospital, you can go to the walk in clinics that are available and get the education and get the help that you need, but definitely get the Naloxone kit if you are a user or if you know somebody that is."

We know of several other suspected opioid overdoses in our region from this past weekend. We had 6 in Woodstock alone with others reported in Brantford, Stratford and Tillsonburg.