The Grey Bruce Health Unit is warning the community that highly toxic drugs are still circulating with four more overdoses this week, making for a total of eight reported non-fatal overdoses.
Harm Reduction Manager Ian Reich says a release was issued Monday alerting the public to four non-fatal overdoses, and another one has been issued Thursday.
Reich says, “These overdoses were reported through our Report a Dangerous Drug online submission tool. These reports were confirmed through system partners.”
He says this alert is in addition to an ongoing trend of multiple overdoses within Grey and Bruce this year and last. Anecdotally, there have been at least 10 fatal overdoses to date in 2021, pending Coroner confirmation.
Descriptions of the suspected substances indicate a substance that is purple, but Reich says previous reports indicated substances of differing colours, grey, blue, yellow, pink, purple.
Current reports also indicate the potential presence of other substances mixed in the street supply. This is assumed due to the symptoms presented during the overdose. He says these other substances must also be deemed highly toxic.
Reich reminds people that all street drugs, regardless of colour, or what they are being sold as, should be deemed highly toxic, and potentially fatal.
Reich has some harm reduction strategies listed below:
Avoiding using alone.
When using with someone else, avoid using at the same time.
Call the Overdose Prevention Line at 1-888-688-6677 (NORS) if you must use alone
Avoiding mixing different drugs.
Mixing drugs, including alcohol, increases the risk of overdose.
Go slow.
Use smaller amounts and do test doses to check the strength of the drug.
Know your tolerance.
If using after a period of not using — use less.
Get overdose prevention training and carry a Naloxone kit.
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 when 911 is called for an overdose.
Reich says the Overdose prevention line is a vital phone service for people that are using drugs alone. It is a service that allows users to call so that they can be safe while using alone. An operator will stay on the line with the user while the drug is used. In the event that the user becomes unresponsive, the Prevention Line operator will call 911 to make sure that help arrives.
Reich says, if you know of a toxic drug, you’re asked to report it by calling 211, using the report a drug system. The operator will fill out a form and it will then go to Public Health to action and alert the community. You can also fill out the form directly on the Grey Bruce Health Unit Website at the Report a Drug and/or Overdose Page.
Naloxone and safe drug use equipment is available at the Health Unit Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and through our participating sites. Call the Health Unit for details, or call 211.
For additional Addiction Services:
ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600
Withdrawal Management/RAAM Clinic (Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic) 519-376-5666
G&B House 519-376-9495
Ontario Addiction Treatment Centre 519-371-0007
CMHA Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services 519-371-3642
Mental Health Crisis Line Grey Bruce 1-877-470-5200
Overdose Prevention Line: 1-888-853-8542
https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Your-Health/Harm-Reduction
If unsure call 211