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‘Alarming increase’ in Kingston drug overdoses, officials say

Health officials are warning about a 30 per cent increase in drug poisonings seen in Kingston since Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Lars Hagberg

Health officials are warning about a spike in drug overdoses in the Kingston area over the last few days.

Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health (KFL&A) issued an alert Tuesday after consumption and treatment services in Kingston reported seeing a 30 per cent increase in drug-involved poisonings since Saturday.

Officials described the rise as an “alarming increase” in a media release.

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“It is vital that people do not use drugs alone and 911 is called immediately for emergency medical care when drug poisoning is suspected,” KFL&A said.

KFL&A said that while local data about the makeup of the area’s unregulated drug supply is not available, neighbouring jurisdictions continue to report the presence of a “variety of high-potency opioids as well as tranquilizers” in samples of their drug supplies.

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“These observations highlight the continued unpredictability and toxicity of the unregulated drug supply in our communities,” KFL&A said.

Health officials advise users to avoid using more than one drug at a time, to use slowly and to always carry a naloxone kit.

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