Community drug alert extended for Waterloo Region after 50 additional overdoses
Posted Jun 3, 2024 05:43:19 PM.
Last Updated Jun 4, 2024 10:36:37 AM.
A community drug alert for Waterloo Region has been extended.
The overdose alert was first issued May 28 in response to 35 reported overdoses and two suspected overdose-related deaths in a four-day period.
The Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy (WRIDS) said there have now been 50 additional overdoses reported and four more deaths.
It raises the total to 85 drug poisonings and six fatalities since May 23.
It’s not known what kind of narcotics are connected to the recent spate of overdoses but WRIDS said the drug supply circulating on city streets is unregulated and unpredictable.
“The Kitchener CTS Drug Checking Program has detected samples of Fentanyl, combined with various Fentanyl analogues, Benzodiazepines (including Bromazolam and Xanax), and Xylazine,” the community drug alert reads “Colours of concern were red, reddish orange, reddish pink, green, and grey.”
Drug users are being urged to take precautions like never using alone, always carrying naloxone, and visiting the Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site on Duke Street in downtown Kitchener.
