Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH) is issuing an opioid alert following a suspected drug poisoning death in the region.
The opioid alert on Monday comes after five others suffered non-fatal suspected drug poisonings, which all occurred within a 72-hour period.
All six poisonings occurred between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2 in Owen Sound, Meaford and Hanover.
GBPH’s Manager of the Harm Reduction Program Monica Blair says they are planning on issuing another opioid alert after four suspected opioid overdoses were reported in the last 36 hours.
“That brings our number of suspected opioid overdoses in the area, primarily in Owen Sound, to 10 in the last five days, including one fatality,” says Blair.
This alert will bring the total number to 27 issued in 2024.
She says all mental health and addictions partners are working together to combat the issue.
“I am not sure that it’s any one issue really. Individuals who use drugs are at risk of overdose because they may just take too much or more than the body can handle,” says Blair. “GBPH is saddened to learn of another suspected drug-related fatality in our area. We extend our sincere condolences to those impacted by this loss.”
Public health reminds residents all street drugs should be deemed highly toxic and potentially fatal, and those who use unregulated drugs are at a significant risk of an overdose as a result of the high potency of opioids being mixed in.
To help prevent overdoses, public health recommends not using alone and have a sober friend on hand or call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677. People are also advised to take extra caution with mixing drugs, go slow by taking a small does and gradually increase, use new supplies and avoid sharing, and get overdose prevention training as well as carry a naloxone kit.
More details can be found on the GBPH website here.