FROM: Corporate Communications
DATE: April 7, 2025
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE INVESTIGATE DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS AND URGE PUBLIC SAFETY
(BRADFORD, ON) – On March 21, 2025, at approximately 5:25 a.m., South Simcoe Police were dispatched to assist Bradford Fire and Simcoe County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) after a call was received about a male who may have suffered from a drug overdose.
South Simcoe Police worked with Bradford Fire and Simcoe County EMS to locate the person who called requesting assistance. Once the caller was located, officers entered a wooded area near Line 8 and Yonge Street in Bradford West Gwillimbury and found a 29-year-old unhoused male who was not responsive. A small quantity of drugs was found at the scene which officers seized for analysis. In addition to the drugs found, drug paraphernalia was scattered throughout a tent that the male was found in. As a result of the investigation, the male located was deceased due to a suspected drug overdose. A substance suspected to be fentanyl was seized at the scene.
In a separate incident, on March 22, 2025, at approximately 1:30 a.m., while on patrol, a South Simcoe Police officer located a 34-year-old male on the ground next to a vehicle that was behind a retail plaza in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Other officers attended the scene and immediately administered naloxone and CPR. Simcoe Couty EMS attended the scene and transported the male to a local area hospital. Despite the lifesaving efforts of the officers on scene, the male was pronounced deceased in hospital. Drug paraphernalia was seized by officers at the scene and will be analyzed to determine what drugs the deceased had taken prior to their death.
Toxicology results in both cases are pending.
The South Simcoe Police Service is reminding everyone that any street drug is considered dangerous and potentially lethal. There are many additives that can be included in street drugs that can lead to an individual quickly becoming incapacitated and unable to help themselves.
Fentanyl that has been seized by the South Simcoe Police Service in the past has been found to contain additives including Benzodiazepines, Nitazenes (synthetic opioids), and Xylazine (veterinary sedative). These additives can cause severe respiratory depression, and naloxone will not reverse its effects.
Furthermore, South Simcoe Police are reminding the public about the provisions of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act. The provisions of this Act will protect someone who is experiencing a drug-related emergency from being charged and prosecuted with drug offenses if they seek assistance from emergency services. In addition, this Act will protect a third party from being charged and prosecuted for drug offenses if they call for assistance on someone else’s behalf who is experiencing a drug related emergency.
For information about accessing addiction services in Simcoe County, please consider visiting the following websites:
Simcoe Addiction and Mental Health
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
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