Drug alert issued after 5 deaths in three days

An ambulance can be seen in the community. (CityNews Kitchener)

By CityNews Kitchener Staff

Posted May 5, 2025 05:50:21 PM.

Last Updated May 6, 2025 12:33:11 PM.

A community drug alert has been issued in Waterloo Region in response to a handful of fatal overdoses in a three-day span this month.

According to the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy (WRIDS), there were five suspected drug-related deaths from May 1 to 3.

The drug alert is the first to be issued in 2025 and the first since the downtown Kitchener Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site was forced to close its doors.

The agency highlighted the CTS closure in its drug alert, as the site had a Drug Checking Program, which helped identify trends and substances of concern.

Since the site closed, the program has not yet been replaced.

WRIDS is advising drug users to take precautions and have a safety plan in place.

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