Peterborough Public Health has extended its drug poisoning alert originally issued on August 1 following an increase in suspected drug poisonings over the civic holiday long weekend.
Over the long weekend, the health unit detected 17 suspected drug poisonings in the city and county of Peterborough based on reports by 911 first responders, emergency department staff, and service providers in the community.
Peterborough Public Health says the suspected drug poisonings may be the result of a pink substance previously reported by the health unit, which is reminding the public that street drugs may be cut or mixed with toxic substances and that using even a small amount of such a drug can be fatal.
“A drug poisoning may look different from one person to the next depending on the drugs involved,” states Peterborough Public Health in a media release. “A drug poisoning is a medical emergency. Always call 9-1-1.”
For anyone who uses drugs (or know someone who does), the health unit recommends:
- Keep multiple naloxone kits 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.
- Never use drugs alone. Ask someone to check on you or call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677. You can also visit the Consumption Treatment Services Site at 220 Simcoe Street in Peterborough, open daily between 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to use in a supervised environment.
- Avoid mixing drugs.
- Start low and go slow when using drugs, especially when buying from different or new suppliers.
- Never share supplies.
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.
Mmmbers of the public are encouraged to use Peterborough Public Health’s drug reporting tool at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/your-health/drugs-and-harm-reduction/opioids/opioids-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.
