An increase in paramedic calls for suspected overdoses has prompted a drug poisoning alert for Haliburton County, Ont.
Lakelands Public Health issued the alert on Thursday, stating the substance of concern is suspected to be opioids. Data was unavailable. The health unit’s most recent data on its substance harms dashboard for the week of April 19 noted that 10 suspected drug overdoses were reported through emergency departments and five overdose calls were attended by paramedics. However, that data encompasses both Haliburton County and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
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Adding to the concern is that the unregulated drug supply may be contaminated with other substances. Due to the substance’s toxicity, multiple doses of naloxone may be required to reverse the drug’s effects.
“Naloxone should be used in all suspected drug overdoses, due to the possibility of opioid contamination or poisoning,” the health unit stated.
Signs of an opioid overdose may include dilated pupils, slow or no breathing, cold and clammy skin, blue or purple fingernails or lips, snoring or gurgling sounds, heavy sedation and difficulty being woken up
“Anyone who sees a person experiencing a drug poisoning is urged to intervene. Call 911, give the person naloxone, and start rescue breathing and, or chest compressions,” the health unit states. “The Good Samaritan Act protects anyone trying to help in an emergency from possible legal repercussions. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act also helps protect people on the scene of an overdose from being charged for using or possessing drugs for personal use.”
Free naloxone kits are available at all Lakelands Public Health offices, participating local pharmacies and other local agencies.
A similar drug poisoning alert was issued for Northumberland County, south of Peterborough, earlier this month.
The humane thing to do is zero intervention.