HKPR District Health Unit is reporting overdoses in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County

PORT HOPE, ON (April 14, 2023) – An opioid overdose alert is being issued for the City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County after an increase in overdoses was reported in these areas over the past 3 days.  

“The increase in overdoses this week is troubling. We are issuing an opioid overdose alert to warn the community to take immediate precautions,” said Dorothea Service, Harm Reduction Program Manager with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit). “We know that the drug supply in Ontario is contaminated with highly potent opioids, benzodiazepines, and xylazine, that may impact the current drug poisoning crisis in our area.”

If you inject, inhale, snort or ingest drugs:

• Know that overdose is possible when inhaling drugs.
• Never share supplies. Avoid using damaged or modified pipes/needles.

• Don’t use alone. Ask someone to check on you or call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-668-NORS (6677) and someone will stay on the line while you use.
• Avoid mixing your drugs.
• Start by using a small amount of drug first.
• Carry multiple naloxone kits and refills. Keep these close by where you can see them. You can get a naloxone kit at most pharmacies and needle exchange sites. Where to get a free naloxone kit | Ontario.ca
• If you think someone is overdosing, call 9-1-1.

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. Naloxone is an emergency medicine that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose until the person can get to hospital for treatment. Naloxone is recommended to be used in all suspected drug overdoses, due to the possibility of opioid contamination or poisoning.

Naloxone kits are available for people who use opioids, as well as their family and friends. These can be picked up at Health Unit offices, local pharmacies, and other locations. Where to get a free naloxone kit | Ontario.ca

Anyone who sees a person overdosing is also 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.

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.

For local opioid overdose incidents, visit the HKPR District Health Unit’s Opioid Overdose Report dashboard. People can also use the online submission form to anonymously report overdoses and drug-related information to assist in a more focussed response to these incidents.

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For media inquiries contact:

Dorothea Service, Manager, Healthy Families and Harm Reduction Health Promotion Division, HKPR District Health Unit, 1-866-888- 4577 ext. 2227, dservice@hkpr.on.ca or Amanda Bray, Communications Officer, HKPR District Health Unit, 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1266, abray@hkpr.on.ca