The Brant County Health Unit has issued a community alert after an increase in suspected opioid-related drug overdoses in Brantford-Brant, including two deaths.
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From June 1 to 10, there were 19 suspected drug poisonings, said the health unit on Monday.
“This is a higher number of suspected drug poisonings than what is typical for a period of this length,” said the alert. “The substance responsible cannot be identified.”
Health unit staff are urging people to use caution when using any type of drug that isn’t prescribed to them. People who are new to drug use are particularly at risk if using drugs that may have an unpredictable potency or contain unexpected and dangerous contaminants, said the alert.
If you think someone is suffering from a drug overdose, call 911 immediately. If available, give the person naloxone, even it they weren’t intending to use opioids. Naloxone is an emergency medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose from opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, methadone and morphine, as well as those caused by non-opioid drugs contaminated with opioids.
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Naloxone can temporarily reverse an overdose but it can wear off before the person has completely recovered. Always call 911 and be treated by emergency medical services.
If the person assisting someone who has overdosed has taken drugs or as drugs on them, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can protect them. The Act provides immunity from simple possession charges for those who call 911 in the case of an overdose.
To reduce the risk of an overdose:
- Try not to use alone. If you must use alone, get someone to check on you either by phone or in person, or call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677. They will stay on the line with you while you use drugs and call for help if needed.
- Go slow if you are using a new substance or have purchased your usual substances from a new supplier. Take a small test dose first to see how it is going to affect you.
- Purchase from a trusted supplier, if possible. Be especially careful if you have recently switched suppliers.
- Carry naloxone, even if you don’t expect to be using opioids. Your drug could be contaminated with fentanyl or other high-potency opioids.
- Test drugs intended for use. Test strips that can detect fentanyl or zylazine are available from SOAR Community Services locations at 133 Elgin St and 1-225 Fairview Dr., the AIDS Network Van, and Grand River Community Health Center. Using test strips can help reduce the risk of overdose.
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