41 reported overdoses, three deaths lead to community drug alert
Posted Sep 24, 2024 06:04:13 PM.
Last Updated Sep 25, 2024 10:44:11 AM.
A community drug alert has been issued for Waterloo Region after a recent rash of overdoses and multiple deaths.
According to the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy, there have been 41 reported overdoses and three suspected overdose-related deaths in the last week.
The drug-checking program at the Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site in downtown Kitchener has reportedly detected high-potency fentanyl circulating with Oxazepam.
Other substances found in the samples are Dexmedetomidine, Paraflurofentanyl, and Bromazolam. There have been various colours including cream, white/yellow, blue/green and pink.
It’s not clear if there’s any connection between those drugs and the recent overdoses.
Drug users are being urged to use caution like always carrying naloxone, never using alone and visiting the CTS.
It comes as efforts continue to try to save the downtown CTS after recently announced changes by the Ford government would see the site close, if passed.
