5 dead from suspected drug poisoning

Hastings Prince Edward public health officials are reporting five people in the area died from suspected drug poisoning during the month of September.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ethan Toumishey tells Quinte News HPEPH has received increasing reports of suspected drug poisoning in the region.

Toumishey says while local partners are continuing to investigate the situation, including the substance linked to these events, increasing reports of suspected drug poisoning are often the result of new and/or toxic drugs being introduced to the area.

He says, “Its very concerning. These are very recent data so we’d like to work with the partners on this data itself.”

“It’s a very concerning spike that we may see as noted because this would be a very, much higher rate than we may expect or that we have seen in our community. So very severe impact. It’s very concerning.”

The health unit is aware of approximately five deaths during the period of September 19-26 which are suspected to be drug-related.

This is four times as high as the weekly median for last year.

Toumishey added, “This is part of a long trend that we have seen where increasing impacts of overdose deaths in our community are associated with drug poisoning. We’ve seen the impact of fentanyl as well as other compounds.

“So this would be one data point that is very concerning a much higher rate over this past week than we may expect but this is a part of a problem that we’ve been experiencing in our community for years.”

As not all drug poisonings are reported, the health unit expects that the number of poisonings being experienced in the community is higher than this.

Officials say everyone who uses drugs is urged to take steps to reduce their risk: some officials’ recommendations are – drug users to never use alone, avoid mixing drugs and try a small amount first.

Dr. Toumishey noted, “From a harm-reduction approach, we’re working to have distribution of harm-reduction suppliers such as Naloxone or kits for drug use that would reduce the likelihood of being infected with infections such as HIV or Hepatitis B. So this is something that we work with community partners to do, some of that distribution. Working with partners in order that we have a good picture – that surveillance on the impact for our communities. And we’re going to have continuing work on projects, he said.

The health unit also issued the following information:

Everyone who uses drugs is urged to take steps to reduce their risk:

Never use alone,

Avoid mixing drugs,

Try a small amount first,

Have at least one naloxone kit on hand.

Using drugs alone significantly increases the risk of a drug poisoning that leads to death. If using with someone else, do not use at exactly the same time. If you must use drugs alone, use an overdose prevention service such as the National Overdose Prevention Services by calling 1-888-688-NORS(6677). When using this non-judgemental service, an individual will stay on the line with you while you use drugs, and if you lose consciousness, they will call for medical assistance to help you.

You can help! Seek support and harm reduction services for yourself or others.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug use and would like support, visit HPEPH’s Getting Help page. To protect yourself and others, be aware of the signs of an opioid poisoning and pick up a free naloxone kit. Naloxone is available at many local locations, including pharmacies. For a list of locations where naloxone is available, visit hpepublichealth.ca/safer-drug-use.

You can help! Call for medical assistance.

A drug poisoning is a medical emergency. Anyone who suspects or witnesses a drug poisoning should call 911. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection against simple drug possession charges for anyone who experiences, witnesses or responds to a drug poisoning and calls 911.