Grey Bruce Public Health has reported two fatal opioid overdose poisonings within the past week.
People who use unregulated street drugs are being warned to exercise extreme caution and follow critical harm reduction recommendations.
Public health suspects fentanyl is behind the suspected opioid responsible for the overdoses, which both took place in Grey-Bruce. However, toxicology results are still pending.
“Public Health is deeply saddened to learn that two more lives have been lost to the ongoing opioid epidemic, which is affecting communities – both large and small, rural and urban – from coast to coast. We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the loved ones of these two individuals,” says Alexis Cook, Program Manager of GBPH’s Harm Reduction portfolio. “All street drugs should be deemed highly toxic and potentially fatal. We urge everyone who uses street drugs to take extra precautions, like always carrying a naloxone kit, not mixing substances, and starting with a low dose and increasing slowly.”
Naloxone kits are available at participating pharmacies in Grey-Bruce, at Grey Bruce Public Health, and via GBPH’s community partners.
Grey Bruce Public Health is working closely with partners to address the opioid poisoning epidemic with ongoing efforts to educate and support individuals, families, and communities to prevent opioid and illicit drug poisoning.
“People who use drugs are at significant risk of overdose due to the local street drug supply containing the highly toxic drug Fentanyl and/or Carfentanil,” said Cook.
If an individual must use alone, Public Health advises them to call the Overdose Prevention Line at 1-888-688-6677.
