About $6,000 worth of Fentanyl seized in OPP raids in Trenton and Marmora, on March 30, 2017. (Photo: Submitted / OPP)
Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health officials are concerned about an increased number of opioid-related overdoses in the region over the past several days.
They say the overdoses confirm the presence of contaminated drugs in the community and are urging residents to take precautions.
Authorities say many drug users are unaware that street drugs are being cut with high potency opioids, including fentanyl, increasing the already-high risk of using those substances and that fentanyl can be also be disguised as counterfit prescription pills.
The health unit says people who use drugs should never use alone and should have access to a Naloxone kit, which can save a life in the case of a overdose.
Those kits are available to opioid users, friends and family, at the Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health office and at participating pharmacies.
Individuals having an opioid overdose will have one or more of the following signs or symptoms:
- the person is unresponsive or doesn’t wake up easily
- breathing is slow or not present
- nails and lips are blue
- the body is limp
- the person is choking or throwing up
- the person is making gurgling or snoring sounds, and
- the skin is cold and clammy.
An overdose is a medical emergency and anyone that suspects or witnesses an overdose should:
- call 9-1-1
- Administer Naloxone/Narcan Kits (Lifesaver Kits), and
- Stay with individual while you wait for paramedics to arrive
