Naloxone kits are available for free at most local pharmacies and at Grey Bruce Public Health, 101 17th Street East, Owen Sound, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with no appointment or prescription needed.

Hub Staff

Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH is once again issuing an Opioid Alert following three suspected drug poisonings.

One fatal and two non-fatal poisonings have occurred over a two-day period, November 25 and 26, 2024, and this alert is the 25th alert GBPH has issued so far in 2024.

Monica Blair, Manager of GBPH's Harm Reduction Program said that Alerts are issued in response to concerning local trends related to drug poisonings or following fatal overdoses.

"The alerts are intended to remind people to exercise extreme caution when using unregulated street drugs and follow critical harm reduction recommendations," said Blair in a recent media release from GBPH.

While opioids are the substances believed to be involved in the non-fatal overdoses, the substance responsible for the fatal overdoses is yet unknown.

"We extend our sincere condolences to the loved ones of the individual involved in this most recent suspected fatal drug poisoning," Blair added.

GBPH said people who use unregulated drugs are at significant risk of overdose due to high-potency opioids being mixed with sedatives and other tranquilizers, complicating overdose response and increasing the risk of harm and death, and advised that all street drugs be deemed highly toxic and potentially fatal.

Harm reduction strategies include never using alone, having a sober friend present at the time of use or, if using alone, contacting the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) or downloading and using the BRAVE App if using alone. NORS can be reached by calling or texting 1-888-688-6677 and an operator will stay on the line while the drug is being used and call 911 if the person becomes unresponsive and ensure help arrives.

Other strategies include going slow by starting with a low dose and increasing slowly, especially if trying something new, using new supplies (available at GBPH and community partners) and getting overdose prevention training and carrying a Naloxone kit (available for free at most local pharmacies or from Grey Bruce Public Health, 101 17th Street East, Owen Sound, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4pm.

GBPH also encouraged people who use unregulated drugs to use drug test kits in conjunction with other harm-reduction strategies. "Test kits for fentanyl, benzodiazepines, and xylazine are available from Public Health and several community partners, including Safe ‘N Sound, SOS, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Grey-Bruce, and the South East Grey Community Health Centre," the release said.

The SOS mobile team offers detailed drug-checking services, providing information about what substances are present in a sample and how much. The team can be reached at 519-379-8743 from Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 6pm.

Overdose is a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the Emergency Department.

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides protection from simple possession charges when 911 is called for an overdose. The Act does not however provide protection from more serious offences such as outstanding warrants or production and trafficking of controlled substances.

For additional supports and services:

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 9-8-8
Connex Ontario: Call 1-866-531-2600 or text 247247
Ontario Addiction Treatment Service (OATC): 519-371-0007
Withdrawal Management/RAAM Clinic: 519-376-5666
G&B House: 519-371-3642 ext.1580
CMHA Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services: 519-371-3642
Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic: 519-376-3999
National Overdose Response Service (NORS): 1-888-688-6677
If unsure – call 211