Grey Bruce Public Health has distributed and posted an Opioid Overdose Alert – the eighth such advisory since the start of summer – after receiving reports of one fatal and four non-fatal drug poisonings over three days in August.

Each of the overdoses took place between Aug. 23 and 25, 2024, with three occurring in Owen Sound and two happening in Walkerton.

While the substance suspected in the fatality is not yet known, fentanyl is believed to be responsible for one of the non-fatal overdoses and a brown crystal-like substance is suspected in another.

Grey Bruce Public Health has now issued 21 Opioid Alerts to partners in 2024, which is more than the 18 alerts issued throughout all of 2023.

This is the sixth time this summer that Public Health has been notified of a fatal opioid poisoning in Grey-Bruce.

This latest series of local drug poisonings once again highlights the increasing toxicity and volatility of the unregulated drug supply in Grey-Bruce and how important it is for people who use illicit drugs to follow harm-reduction strategies before each dose.

Grey Bruce 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.

The SOS mobile team now offers detailed drug-checking services, providing information about what substances are present in a sample and how much. The team can be reached at 519-379-8743 from Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

GBPH also urges people to have a sober friend with them when using drugs or to contact 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 with 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 avoid 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 provides protection 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
• If unsure – call 211