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Grand Erie Public Health has issued a community drug alert following an increase in drug-related incidents and emergency department visits across the region.
Since August 22, hospital and police data has shown an increase in drug-related incidents in both Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk.
Grand Erie Public Health says there were 22 drug-related emergency department visits across the region between August 22 and 26, while six suspected drug-related deaths were reported between August 1 and 25.
Officials say many of the recent incidents and emergency department visits involved opioids or medetomidine.
The unregulated drug supply can contain unexpected substances, including non-opioid drugs and substances of unknown potency, and evidence from across Ontario suggests contamination continues to contribute to high rates of overdose.
Grand Erie Public Health is urging people to use caution when taking any drug that has not been prescribed to them.
Officials say people who are new to drug use may face greater risks because the potency and contents of unregulated drugs can be unpredictable.
Test strips are available through Grand Erie Public Health and community partners across the region and can help identify contaminants such as fentanyl and medetomidine in unregulated drugs.
Anyone who suspects an overdose is being advised to call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if it is available, even if the person did not intend to use opioids.
Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, including those involving fentanyl, heroin, methadone and morphine, as well as overdoses involving non-opioid drugs that have been contaminated with opioids.
Grand Erie Public Health notes that naloxone will not harm someone who has not used opioids.
Because naloxone can wear off before a person has fully recovered, people are advised to call 911 and remain with the individual until Emergency Medical Services arrives.
