The health unit that serves Northumberland County has issued an alarm about a jump in the number of opioid overdoses in the area.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit issued the alert on Wednesday based on reports from its community partners that more overdoses are occurring in Haliburton County.
Many of the overdoses involve Fentanyl and there is concern that these overdoses may be the result of a contaminated or poisoned drug supply, of inconsistent or increased potency, causing more severe overdose reactions.
The health unit points out that while Fentanyl is a legitimate and powerful painkiller prescribed by doctors, it is also often used for non-medical reasons.
Substance and Harm Reduction coordinator Catherine MacDonald says the alert is to remind everyone to be extra vigilant. MacDonald encourages people to call 911 and give the person naloxone if they see anyone overdosing.
The health unit also issues this information:
The Health Unit reminds anyone who uses drugs (or those who know someone who does) to follow these safety tips:
- Test a small amount of drug before you use.
- Never use alone.
- If you are alone, 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.
- Ensure that emergency services can be contacted in the event of an overdose.
- Avoid mixing your drugs.
- Keep a naloxone kit on hand. You can get a naloxone kit at most pharmacies and needle exchange sites.
Naloxone is an emergency medicine that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose until the victim can get to hospital for treatment. Naloxone is recommended to be used in all suspected drug overdoses, due to the possibility of opioid contamination or poisoning. Many local police and emergency responders already carry naloxone. Free kits are also available to people who use opioids, as well as their family and friends. To find exact locations for free naloxone kits, visit the Ontario government website (www.ontario.ca/naloxone).
MacDonald also encourages people to intervene if they see someone who is overdosing. Call 9-1-1 and give the person naloxone. She notes the Good Samaritan Act protects anyone trying to help in an emergency from possible legal repercussions. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act also protects people on the scene of an overdose from being charged for possessing or using drugs.
Signs of an overdose include: very large or very small pupils, slow or no breathing, cold and clammy skin, blue or purple fingernails or lips, and snoring or gurgling sounds. Often in drug overdoses, it is also difficult to wake up the person.
