6 suspected overdose deaths in Durham since mid-November

A half-dozen people have died of suspected overdoses in Durham Region over the past three weeks, spurring police to warn the public about the dangers of using illegal drugs.

Durham Regional Police say the deaths occurred between Nov. 22 and Dec. 7.

Police say the evidence at each of the scenes "suggests the use of illegally-obtained narcotics," but that can't be confirmed until toxicology tests are completed.

Anyone using illicit drugs who experiences a "serious, physical illness" should get to a hospital immediately, or call 911, police say.

Police say it is too soon to determine if these deaths are related to a series of heroin overdoses that were reported in Toronto last month.

On Nov. 29, Toronto police reported responding to "a number of heroin overdoses" in a 24-hour period. They said it appeared that "a deadly form of heroin" was being sold.