One fatal and seven non-fatal suspected opioid-related drug poisonings have been reported to Grey Bruce Public Health over the past seven days, prompting the organization to issue an Opioid Overdose Alert to community partners on Monday, Sept. 9.

Five of the eight suspected overdoses, including the fatality, occurred over the weekend. The majority of the overdoses took place in Owen Sound.

Fentanyl is the substance believed to be responsible for four of the eight drug poisonings. While the substance involved in the fatal overdose has not yet been confirmed, yellow and purple fentanyl were both found at the scene.

In six of the eight overdoses, smoking was the route of drug administration.

“This is the ninth time this summer that Grey Bruce Public Health has issued an Opioid Overdose Alert in response to spikes in local drug poisonings. This is a deeply concerning trend,” says Monica Blair, Manager of the Harm Reduction Program at Grey Bruce Public Health.

GBPH has now issued 22 Opioid Alerts to partners in 2024, which is more than the 18 alerts issued throughout all of 2023.

“As Public Health continues to work with our partners and community members to respond to and address the opioid poisoning epidemic, we implore people who use unregulated drugs to practice critical harm-reduction strategies before each dose, including always having naloxone on hand and a sober friend with them who can administer naloxone and call 911 in case of an overdose,” Blair added.

GBPH 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