Grey Bruce Public Health is urging extreme caution to those that use unregulated street drugs after a pair of fatal overdoses were reported over the past two days.
According to the Health Unit, they've received reports of multiple suspected opioid-related overdoses on March 4 and 5, primarily in the Owen Sound area.
An individual in their 30s and another in their 40s died as a result. One of the fatal overdoses took place in Port Elgin.
Fentanyl is believed to be the substance responsible for the overdoses.
“We have received reports of local street drugs containing fentanyl that has been unevenly mixed with other substances," said GBPH Harm Reduction Program Manager, Monica Blair. "This uneven distribution of fentanyl can result in the toxicity of one dose being very different from another dose, even within the same batch. This, in turn, increases a person’s risk of experiencing a drug poisoning.”
GBPH urges people to have a sober friend with them when using drugs or to call or text the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-6677 or use/download the BRAVE App if using alone.
“These reports underscore the importance of following critical harm reduction strategies, such as starting with a small amount and increasing slowly while monitoring the drug’s effects. This should be done for each dose,” said Blair.
The Health Unit also recommends getting overdose prevention training and carrying a Naloxone kit. Naloxone is available for free at most local pharmacies and at GBPH, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
