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.
Get weekly health news
“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.
- Doctors concerned as Alberta moves to fast‑track medical tests without referrals
- Saskatoon infectious disease lab searches for hantavirus treatment
- Manitoba declares HIV public health emergency over sharp rise in cases
- Quebec psychiatrists group supports bill on forced hospitalizations for mentally ill
“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.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.