Public health has issued a warning about a toxic drug supply circulating in Northumberland County and an increase in drug poisonings in the community.
On Thursday, May 9, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit issued an alert due to what officials described as a notable increase in suspected opioid drug poisonings in Northumberland.
Public health officials also referred to a specific substance, describing it as light yellow to light green in colour and highly potent – it’s being sold as fentanyl or “down,” reads a release from the health unit.
The health unit’s drug poisoning opioid overdose alert early-warning and surveillance system automatically flags increases in drug poisoning overdoses – this triggers enhanced outreach efforts and distribution of naloxone kits and harm reduction supplies from first responders and community partners, explained public health.
Naloxone is an emergency medicine that can temporarily reverse effects of an opioid overdose until a person can get to hospital for treatment.
“It is important to be aware that the unregulated drug supply may be contaminated with other substances,” noted officials.
However, public health recommends naloxone should be used in all suspected drug overdoses due to the possibility of opioid contamination or poisoning.
Free naloxone kits are available at health unit offices, local pharmacies, and other locations, noted officials.
Public health is reminding residents that signs of overdoses can include very small pupils, slow or no breathing, cold and clammy skin, blue or purple fingernails and/or lips, and snoring or gurgling sounds. People may also experience heavy sedation and it may be difficult to wake them up.
Anyone who sees a person overdosing is urged to intervene, call 911, give the person naloxone, and start rescue breath and/or chest compressions as needed, added public health.
The Good Samaritan Act protects people trying to help in an emergency from possible legal repercussions – the act also helps protect people on the scene of an overdose from being charged for using or possessing drugs for personal use, public health is reminding residents.
The health unit also recommends harm reduction practices for people using substances, such as keeping multiple naloxone kits on hand, testing a small amount of drugs before using, using new supplies and accessing needle disposal bins to reduce harms associated with substance use, et cetera.
A full list of tips and resources is also available online.
People can anonymously report drug poisonings, and drug-related information through the health unit’s online submission form. This information helps with more effective responses, added officials.
Local opioid overdose reports are also available weekly via the health unit online – and people can stay informed by signing up for alerts, et cetera.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
