Opioid Crisis Alert issued after 8 drug overdoses

One dead, seven poisoned in the opioid crisis in Grey Bruce.

In one week, eight opioid-related drug poisonings were reported to Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH).

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

GBPH issued an Opioid Overdose Alert to its community partners Monday.

"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," said Monica Blair, manager of the Harm Reduction Program GBHC.

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.

GBPH has now issued 22 Opioid Alerts in 2024, more than the 18 alerts issued throughout 2023.

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"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 said it is encouraging 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.

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. If the person becomes unresponsive, NORS will call 911 to ensure help arrives.

Other harm reduction recommendations include:

• Take extra caution if mixing drugs. Mixing drugs, including alcohol, increases the risk of harm and overdose.
• Go slow. Always start with a low dose and increase slowly, especially if trying something new or restarting use.
• Use 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.
• Take overdose prevention training and carry a Naloxone kit. Naloxone is free at most local pharmacies and 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 protects from simple possession charges for everyone at the scene when 911 is called for an overdose.

For additional support 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