The Grey Bruce Health Unit is taking measures against the rise of opioid use by bringing back programs.
GBHU Public Health Manager Chimere Okoronkwo says while he is not sure how to quantify the opioid crisis, he says it is an issue not just in Grey Bruce, but across Canada.
“Opioid related deaths have been increasing as it has been in the province and the rest of the country. We continue to try and put programs in place to try and manage this very complex opioid crisis,” says Okoronkwo.
He adds the opioid crisis has been continuously increasing and the pandemic only worsened the situation and fentanyl has become the drug of choice during the pandemic.
“Different studies have shown and different compositions have shown, that for the dealers, fentanyl only takes a small amount to give the same level of effect so it has become the drug of choice for drug users as well as for the dealers because it provides them with more incentive for profits,” says Okoronkwo.
Okoronkwo says fentanyl’s original use was for putting large mammals to sleep for surgeries.
“Unfortunately it’s gotten into the hands of illegal drug dealers and they have brought it to the forefront of this crisis we are experiencing,” says Okoronkwo.
The GBHU also recently issued an overdose alert as they are reporting five drug overdoses within a 48-hour period.
The GBHU issued the alert June 3, and since the alert was issued, there was one other local overdose. Fentanyl is the suspected or probable opioid responsible for the non-fatal overdoses, but none of these have been confirmed by toxicology.
The health unit is advising residents that street drugs should be deemed highly toxic and fatal.
The health unit says those who use drugs should do so in a safe manner, including avoiding using alone, or by calling the Overdose Prevention Line at 1-888-688-6677 if you do plan to use alone. Users are also encouraged to avoid mixing different drugs and to do test doses to assess its strength. Users are also recommended to know their tolerance levels and to carry a Naloxone kit.
Kits and safe drug-use equipment are available for pick up at the GBHU Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
GBHU says overdosing is a medical emergency and anyone near by should call 911 or go to the emergency department if someone does overdose.
The health unit adds with the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, it provides protection from simple possession charges when 911 is called for an overdose event.
Okoronkwo is also encouraging residents to make use of the number of addiction services available.
“The health unit is trying to restart its programs and improve its services,” says Okoronkwo.
A full list of services can be found on the health unit’s website.