The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has issued an overdose alert for Northumberland County after an increase in suspected opioid drug poisonings.
Harm Reduction Program Manager Dorothea Service says they’re issuing the alert to ensure the community takes immediate precautions.
She adds the drug supply in Ontario is contaminated with highly potent opioids, benzodiazepines, xylazine, and other substances that may be impacting the current drug poisoning crisis.
Important information from HKPRDHU:
Street drugs may be mixed with other substances.
Mixing drugs/substances can increase the risk of overdose. This includes mixing street drugs with alcohol.
We recommend using naloxone in all suspected drug overdoses due to the possibility of opioid contamination or poisoning.
Keep multiple naloxone kits on hand.
Test a small amount of the drug before you use it.
Call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS), virtual safe consumption, at 1-888-668-NORS (6677) or use a buddy system and call a friend.
Call 911 in the event of an overdose.
An Overdose Alert triggers enhanced outreach efforts, community partners and first responders, including the distribution of naloxone kits.
Naloxone is an emergency medicine that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose until the person can get to a hospital for treatment.
Naloxone kits are available for people who use opioids, as well as their family and friends. These can be picked up at Health Unit offices, local pharmacies, and other locations.
