Six drug overdoses within a four day period have prompted the Grey Bruce Health Unit (GBHU) to issue an Opioid Alert to system partners.
Public Health received alerts regarding the overdoses between July 31 and August 3, 2022. None of the overdoses were fatal, read a media release from GBHU.
Upon the arrival of first responders, five of the six individuals were unconscious and three were in respiratory arrest.
While none have been confirmed by toxicology, fentanyl is the suspected opioid responsible for five of the six overdoses. Two of the suspected fentanyl overdoses were also mixed with methamphetamines.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit wishes to advise the public that all street drugs should be deemed highly toxic and fatal and are advising people who use drugs to do so as safely as possible by following basic Harm Reduction strategies, such as:
• Avoid using alone
• When using with someone else, avoid using at the same time
• Call the Overdose Prevention Line at 1-888-688-6677 (NORS) if you must use alone
• Avoid mixing different drugs; mixing drugs, including alcohol, increases the risk of overdose
• Go slow; use smaller amounts and do test doses to check the strength of the drug
• Know your tolerance; if using after a period of not using, use less
• Get overdose prevention training and carrying a Naloxone kit
The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can provide protection to the person who experiences or witnesses an overdose against simple possession charges when 911 is called.
The Act can also protect from breach of conditions regarding simple possession in pre-trial release, probation orders, conditional sentences and parole.
However the Act does not provide protection from more serious offences such as outstanding warrants or production and trafficking of controlled substances.
Naloxone and safe drug-use equipment are available at the Grey Bruce Health Unit Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4pm and through our participating sites. Call the Health Unit for details at (519) 376-9420 or call 211.
For additional addiction services:
ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600
Withdrawal Management/RAAM Clinic (Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic) 519-376-5666
G&B House 519-376-9495
Ontario Addiction Treatment Centre 519-371-0007
CMHA Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services 519-371-3642
Mental Health Crisis Line Grey Bruce 1-877-470-5200
Overdose prevention line (NORS) 1-888-688-6677
For more information, visit Grey Bruce's Harm Reduction page at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Your-Health/Harm-Reduction or call 211.