Calgary police are renewing a warning about street drugs after autopsy results on several overdose victims revealed a new chemical compound.

The new information has prompted the warning from police and Alberta Health Services.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) and methamphetamine was present in toxicology results for each of five recent Calgary area street drug deaths.

PMMA has not previously been associated with street drugs sold in Calgary as Ecstasy.

The new chemical compund is thought to be less expensive and is used to make a drug similar in appearance to, and sold on the street as, Ecstasy (MDMA).

The Medical Examiner's Office says MDMA was also found in the toxicology results.

Officials say that it was reported that each of the overdose victims thought they were taking Ecstasy not PMMA or methamphetamine.

The cause of each death is still under investigation but the presence of PMMA is a common link between each case and it is considered to be lethal.

"This is a prime example of the gamble people take when they use illegal drugs," says S/Sgt. Mike Bossley of the Calgary Police Service Drug Unit. "You never know what is in your drug: yesterday it was MDMA, today it's PMMA, and tomorrow it could be something else. There is no safe street drug, and no safe dose of a street drug."

Police say that there are absolutely no controls in illegal drug production and drugs could be cut with various substances which may lead to injury or death.

In addition, each person will have a different response to drugs and their reaction to the drug will also vary.

"There are some important differences in the toxicity of PMMA compared to MDMA," says Dr. Mark Yarema, Medical Director of the Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS). "Although all have toxic effects, PMMA is considered more toxic than MDMA, with a higher incidence of seizures and elevated body temperature. Also, the onset of action of PMMA is delayed and its initial effect may be milder. This is dangerous as it may result in users ingesting several tablets to achieve a desired effect, with potentially fatal consequences."

Police continue to investigate the source of the drugs and are not releasing the names of the deceased.

Authorities say you should call 911 immediately, if someone who has used MDMA, PMMA, methamphetamine or any other street drug, becomes unconscious, stops breathing, experiences chest pain or has a seizure.

If parents believe their child is involved in drug use and/or have information to assist with an investigation targeting a drug trafficker, they are encouraged to call the CPS Drug Tip Line at 403-206-8100 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Find more information on ecstasy & youth, visit the Calgary Police Service or Alberta Health Services website.

Albertans can also call PADIS toll-free, 24/7, at 1-800-332-1414, for confidential discussion with staff trained in the assessment and management of exposures to drugs, including MDMA, PMMA, and methamphetamine.