Drug alert extended in Waterloo Region after 70 more overdoses
Posted Oct 2, 2026 02:18:40 PM.
A community drug alert has been extended in Waterloo Region after 70 additional overdoses were reported in less than a week.
The notice from the Overdose Monitoring Alert and Response System indicates the spate of suspected drug poisonings occurred between Sept. 28 and Oct. 2.
Officials say there have been reports of sudden heavy sedation related to unregulated street drugs and more naloxone has been required to reverse overdoses.
The local drug checking program continues to detect fentanyl cut with other opioids and substances, including synthetic animal tranquilizers.
Drug users are being urged to take additional precautions, particularly with yellow powdered drugs which have been identified as a concern.
The drug alert was first issued Sept. 18 following 48 overdoses and one fatality.
