The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit are reporting multiple drug overdoses over the last four days across the region, some of which of have been fatal. This spike has been identified through the Overdose Early Warning System which collects overdoes information through their online overdose reporting tool.
The health unit’s cautioning the community regarding the dangerously toxic substance supply currently making the rounds. They say the number of opioid related deaths in the region has declined relative to 2021 but remain higher than in 2019 before the pandemic.
They’re reminding listeners of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdoes Act, which provides legal protection against simple drug possession charges for anyone who experiences or witnesses an overdose and calls 9-1-1.
Effective tools of reducing an overdose turning fatal are to call the authorities, carry a naloxone test, do not use alone, use a small test dose first and avoid mixing substances.
Story by Grant Deme
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