Vancouver Police warn drug users following theft of fentanyl patches

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Police is warning local drug users after fentanyl patches were stolen from a pharmacy on Friday morning.

Police say the Medicine Shoppe on Victoria Drive, near East 47 Avenue, was robbed shortly after 9 a.m. The thieves took various prescription drugs, including a small quantity of fentanyl patches that have caused concern for police.

Fentanyl is a synthetic narcotic that is 50 to 100 times more toxic than other opioids. The dose must be carefully monitored to avoid accidental overdose.

Early signs of a fentanyl overdose include severe sleepiness, slow heartbeat, trouble breathing or slow breathing, shallow breathing or snoring, cold, clammy skin and trouble walking or talking. If any of these signs are observed in someone who is believed to have taken illicit drugs, police say call 9-1-1 immediately.

Drug users are advised to never inject, snort, or swallow drugs alone and to call 9-1-1 immediately if overdose symptoms start.

Anyone who has information about this robbery, or knows the whereabouts of the stolen pharmaceuticals, is asked to call the Vancouver Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.