The RCMP, Ponoka Victim Services, and Alberta Health Services are hosting an event tonight educating the public about the dangerous opioid fentanyl.
 
With 343 fentanyl deaths in Alberta last year, and RCMP expecting those numbers to go up in 2017, the goal of tonight's fentanyl awareness presentation is to show people the signs to watch out for to keep you safe.
 
Staff Sargent Mike Numan with Ponoka RCMP says what people aren't understanding about the dangerous chemical, is just how deadly even a small dose is “that’s what we’re seeing, is people are unaware of it even being fentanyl so there’s certainly some signs that we can provide to help people know what to look for and to educate themselves a little bit as well”.

“This is a relatively new thing to us as an RCMP agency, and we’re all learning and I think any education we can provide is going to be important. We’re teaching our Officers and our Fire Department and Paramedics how to handle this type of drug and who to call to get some advice and those types of things. And then also for the public, the same thing, just creating that awareness and that conversation”.
 
The presentation is scheduled for 6-8pm at the Kinsmen Community Centre in Ponoka.
 
Addictions specialists will also be on hand.