Grey Bruce Public Health has issued an Opioid Alert to community partners after receiving notification of two fatal and two non-fatal suspected drug poisonings in the region over the past seven days.

Three cases occurred in Owen Sound and one case occurred in Meaford. Fentanyl is the suspected substance in three cases, including in one fatality. The route of administration was smoking for all the cases.

This latest grouping equates to twenty-six reports of suspected drug poisonings in July. These incidents have taken place in several locations in Grey-Bruce, including Meaford, Owen Sound, Georgian Bluffs, South Bruce Peninsula, Saugeen Shores, Southgate, and Hanover.

“We are saddened by the loss of two community members to suspected drug poisoning. We are thinking of the individuals’ family members and friends during this difficult time. We encourage people who use unregulated substances to use harm reduction strategies to lower the risk of overdose and death,” says Monica Blair, Manager of the Harm Reduction Program at Grey Bruce Public Health.

People who use drugs are at significant risk of overdose due to contamination of the local drug supply with fentanyl, sedatives, and animal tranquilizers. Public Health advises that all street drugs should be deemed potentially fatal.

Public Health encourages people who use unregulated drugs to use drug test kits in conjunction with other harm reduction strategies.

Test kits for fentanyl, benzodiazepines, and xylazine are available from Public Health and several community partners, including Safe ‘N Sound, SOS, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Grey-Bruce, and the South East Grey Community Health Centre.

GBPH urges people to have a sober friend with them when using drugs or to call or text the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) or use/download the BRAVE App if using alone. NORS can be reached by calling or texting 1-888-688-6677. A NORS operator will stay on the line with the person while the drug is used. In the event the person becomes unresponsive, NORS will call 911 to ensure help arrives.

Other harm reduction recommendations include:

• Taking extra caution if mixing drugs. Mixing drugs, including alcohol, increases the risk of harm and overdose.
• Going slow. Always start with a low dose and increase slowly, especially if trying something new or restarting use.
• Using only new supplies and avoiding sharing supplies. This reduces the risk of getting or passing on an infectious disease. Supplies are available at GBPH and community partners.
• Getting overdose prevention training and carrying a Naloxone kit. Naloxone is available for free at most local pharmacies and at GBPH, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment or prescription is needed.

Overdose is a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the Emergency Department. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects from simple possession charges for everyone at the scene when 911 is called for an overdose.

For additional supports and services:

• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 9-8-8
• Connex Ontario: Call 1-866-531-2600 or text 247247
• Ontario Addiction Treatment Service (OATC): 519-371-0007
• Withdrawal Management/RAAM Clinic: 519-376-5666
• G&B House: 519-371-3642 ext.1580
• CMHA Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services: 519-371-3642
• Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic: 519-376-3999
• National Overdose Response Service (NORS): 1-888-688-6677
• Brightshores Wellness and Recovery Centre - 519-376-5666
• Nawash Health Centre - (519) 534-0373
• If unsure – call 211

For More Information:

To connect with the Medical Officer of Health or the program manager, please contact:

Denis Langlois, Communications Co-Ordinator,

Grey Bruce Public Health,

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1315,

Communications@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca