Overdose Alert for Renfrew County and District

Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) and the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service are alerting residents about an increase in overdoses across Renfrew County and District (RCD). Acting Commander, Steve Osipenko reports that “Paramedics in the Pembroke catchment area have noticed and reported a sharp rise in overdose and negative drug related reactions in the last 3 days. We are concerned for the community and its residents.”

Although specific substance(s) related to the overdoses have not been confirmed, it is important to remember that all street drugs must be considered highly toxic and potentially fatal.

Dr. Jason Morgenstern, Medical Officer of Health at RCDHU states, “In collaboration with community partners, RCDHU conducts regular surveillance and knowledge exchange to monitor local trends in overdoses and substance-related concerns. As a result, we are issuing this alert to inform all partners and residents that life-threatening drugs are circulating in our community.”

Friends, family members and individuals who use street drugs can work together to reduce the risk of an overdose by putting the following measures in place:

• Don’t use alone - If you overdose and are with someone, they can get urgent help.
• Carry naloxone (Narcan®)- Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose and kits are available for free throughout RCD at local pharmacies and other locations. For more information on where to get a kit please visit this link.
• Don’t mix drugs - Don’t mix drugs with other drugs or alcohol, as it puts you at higher risk of overdosing.
• Go slow - Quality of street drugs are unpredictable. If you are using street drugs, start by using in small amounts (testers or test doses) to check the strength of what you are using.
• Know your tolerance - Risk of overdose increases if you are a new user or have not used in 3 or more days.

If you have no other choice than to use alone, always call the Overdose Prevention Hotline 1-888-688-6677 (National Overdose Response Service) to have someone standing by to call for help if needed. A volunteer will check in periodically and call 911 if there’s no response.

Understanding the signs of an overdose can help to save a life. These signs can include, but are not limited to:

• Person can’t be woken up.
• Breathing is slow or has stopped.
• Snoring or gurgling sounds.
• Fingernails and lips turn blue or purple.
• Pupils are tiny or eyes are rolled back.
• Body is limp.

It is possible an individual treated with naloxone may have a re-emergence of the opioid overdose once the naloxone ‘wears off’, since the duration of action of most opioids exceeds that of naloxone. All overdoses are a medical emergency and calling 911 is an important step in saving someone’s life. We ask that people who are aware of overdoses assist us by completing RCDHU’s anonymous online Overdose Reporting Form, which is used to support tracking overdoses within the community. The Overdose Reporting Form does not ask for any identifying information and can be completed directly on RCDHU’s website.

Support is available; the Renfrew County Addiction Treatment System delivers assessment, counselling and treatment programs to individuals who use substances.

It’s ok to not be ok…If you, or someone you know are experiencing feelings of stress, anxiety, grief etc. supports can be accessed here. -30- Renfrew County and District Health Unit media@rcdhu.com Fax: 613-735-3067 www.rcdhu.com