Peterborough Public Health has extended a drug poisoning alert after an additional seven drug-related incidents occurred this past weekend.
“We encourage members of the public to be cautious when using drugs,” the health unit states in a media release issued late Monday afternoon (February 7). “Due to the toxic drug supply, the colour of drug, type of drug (opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, etc.), or how the drug is being used does not matter. Any street drug may cut or mixed with toxic substances, which may cause a fatal poisoning.”
The health unit first issued the alert on Friday (February 4) after an unusual increase in local suspected drug poisonings, with 10 overdose-related visits to the emergency department at Peterborough Regional Health Centre in the past week — an increase of almost two visits above the typical weekly average.
“This increase has prompted us to proceed with issuing a public warning in the hopes of preventing further harms in the community,” said Peterborough medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott on Friday.
For anyone who uses drugs (or know someone who does), the health unit recommends:
- Never use drugs alone.
- When using with a friend, do not use at the exact same time.
- Have a plan in case something goes wrong. Ask someone to check on you or to call the National Overdose Response Service 1-888-688-6677.
- Keep a naloxone kit close at hand and visible when you’re using. Visit ontario.ca/page/where-get-free-naloxone-kit for where to get a free naloxone kit.
- Avoid mixing drugs.
- Test a small amount of drug before you use.
Tainted Cocaine in Peterborough tell everybody
— Alex Bierk (@alexbierk) February 7, 2022
“You are at greatest risk when you are using alone,” Dr. Piggott said. “If you are using drugs right now, it is critical that you take action to stay safe.”
Signs of an overdose include very large or very small pupils, slow or no breathing, cold and clammy skin, blue or purple fingernails or lips, and deep snoring or gurgling sounds. Often in drug overdoses, the person’s body is very limp and it is difficult to wake them up.
If someone is showing signs of an overdose or if they cannot be resuscitated after naloxone is administered, call 9-1-1 immediately. Under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, anyone who seeks medical help for themselves or for someone else who has overdosed will not be charged for possessing or using drugs for personal use.
Mmembers of the public are encouraged to use Peterborough Public Health’s recently launched online reporting tool at chkmkt.com/PPH-drug-reporting-tool, where you can submit an anonymous report about overdose incidents, suspected harmful drugs, bad reactions to drugs, and other drug-related incidents.
The health unit uses these reports to guide public health actions, including warning people about contaminated, poisoned, or potent drugs in the community.
Dr. Piggott is also asking the public to avoid stigmatizing people suffering from drug addiction.
“Even if you don’t know anyone who uses drugs, offering empathy and not stigmatizing people who struggle with addiction is an important way you can contribute the cultural shift needed to address this public health crisis,” he says.
The story has been updated with the extension of the drug poisoning alert.
