Drug alert issued for Waterloo Region after 37 overdoses, 1 death
Posted Aug 4, 2026 05:10:45 PM.
Last Updated Aug 4, 2026 05:13:05 PM.
A community drug alert has been issued for Waterloo Region in the wake of more than three dozen reported overdoses and one death in less than a week.
The drug alert says there were 37 suspected overdoses and one suspected drug-related death in the community from July 30 to Aug. 3.
Health officials say there have been reports of strong fentanyl circulating but it’s not clear what kinds of substances are linked to the overdoses.
The drug alert says, “The street drug supply is highly toxic. Unexpected drugs may be mixed in to any type of street drug without people knowing.”
Drug users are urged to take precautions like carrying naloxone and using Sanguen Health Centre’s Drug Checking Program, which has been temporarily closed but will reopen Aug. 6.
