West Region OPP is sounding the alarm about the potentially-lethal consequences of opioid use.

Between May 1st and the 17th, OPP West Region members responded to 12 suspected opioid overdose incidents, including three fatalities.

To date in 2020, there have been 52 suspected opioid overdoses, including 13 deaths in West Region.

In 2019, there were 37 confirmed or suspected fatal opioid overdoses in communities served by OPP West Region while officers responded to 234 confirmed or suspected overdoses in total last year.

Police say the overdoses highlight the fact that the misuse and abuse of controlled substances is dangerous and can be deadly.