An opioid overdose alert is being issued for the City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County after what is being called a noticeable increase in overdoses over the past seven days.
“The recent increase in overdoses is troubling, so we’re issuing the alert to inform the community to take precautions,” said Leslie McLaughlin, Substances and Harm Reduction Coordinator for the HKPR District Health Unit. “Contributing factors for these local overdoses may include people using alone or a potentially contaminated or poisoned drug supply that is leading to more severe overdose reactions.”
The HKPR District Health Unit reminds anyone who uses drugs, or those who know someone who does, to follow these safety tips:
· Test a small amount of drug before you use.
· Never use alone. If you are alone, call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) virtual safe consumption at
1-888-668-NORS (6677), or use a buddy system and call a friend.
· Call 9-1-1 in the event of an overdose.
· Avoid mixing your drugs.
· Keep a naloxone kit on hand. You can get a naloxone kit at most pharmacies and needle exchange sites.
The HKPR District Health Unit’s opioid overdose alert automatically flags increases in overdoses for community partners and first responders, which triggers enhanced outreach efforts and distribution of naloxone kits. They are available for people who use opioids, as well as their family and friends and can be picked up at health unit offices, local pharmacies, and other locations.
The Health Unit says anyone who sees a person overdosing is urged to intervene. “Call 9-1-1 and give the person naloxone. The Good Samaritan Act protects anyone trying to help in an emergency from possible legal repercussions. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act also protects people on the scene of an overdose from being charged for possessing or using drugs,” reads a release.
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 snoring or gurgling sounds. Often in drug overdoses, it is also difficult to wake up the person.