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Grand Erie Public Health is extending a community drug alert following a continued increase in drug-related emergency department visits across Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk.
Between August 22 and September 3, there were 51 drug-related emergency department visits reported across the two areas. GEPH also says seven suspected drug-related deaths were reported across the region in August.
Many of the recent incidents and emergency department visits involved opioids or medetomidine.
Health officials are warning that the unregulated drug supply can contain unexpected substances, including non-opioid drugs, as well as substances of unknown potency. Evidence from across Ontario suggests contamination of the unregulated supply continues to contribute to high rates of overdose.
GEPH 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 unregulated drugs can have unpredictable potency and may contain dangerous contaminants.
Test strips can help identify contaminants including fentanyl and medetomidine. They are available through SOAR Community Services, the Positive Health Network Van and the DROP.
If an overdose is suspected, GEPH says people should call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if it is available, even if the person did not intend to use opioids. Naloxone temporarily reverses opioid overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl, heroin, methadone and morphine, and can also help when non-opioid drugs have been contaminated with opioids.
Officials stress that naloxone will not harm someone who has not used opioids, but its effects can wear off before the person has fully recovered. People are advised to remain with the person until Emergency Medical Services arrives.
GEPH also recommends people avoid using drugs alone. Anyone who must use alone is encouraged to have someone check on them by phone or in person, or contact the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-NORS (6677), which can stay on the phone while someone uses drugs and call for help if needed.
People are also advised to go slowly when using a new substance or when purchasing from a new supplier, including taking a small test dose first. Carrying naloxone is recommended even when someone does not expect to use opioids, as drugs may be contaminated with fentanyl or other high-potency opioids.
Test strips that can detect fentanyl, xylazine or medetomidine are available at SOAR Community Services locations at 133 Elgin Street and 225 Fairview Drive in Brantford, as well as The DROP at 185 Robinson Street in Simcoe on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Positive Health Network Van can also provide access to testing. The van can be reached at 289-440-4912 for Brantford-Brant or 289-440-4903 for Haldimand, Norfolk and Six Nations.
