String of drug-related deaths prompts police warning in N.L. [Video]

The two police forces in Newfoundland and Labrador have both issued public warnings about increased availability of dangerous drugs following overdose deaths in the province.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC), the force responsible for policing services in the St. John’s area, said Monday that five “sudden” deaths had been reported to the force in the past week.

Four of those deaths were in the St. John’s area, while the fifth was in Labrador, where the RNC also provides policing services.

The exact cause of each of the deaths has not been confirmed, but police drew a link between the deaths and illicit drug use — warning that the deaths may have been caused by overdose.

“These deaths signal to RNC investigators, the possibility of an increase in the availability of illicit, dangerous, and potentially fatal drugs in our communities,” the police force wrote on its Facebook page.

“The RNC is …