The Grey Bruce Health Unit is disclosing nine non-fatal opioid overdoses this past week.
In a notice to opioid system partners on May 23, the health unit identified six overdoses that occurred over the previous three days. Since that report however, at least three more were added.
The health unit says this is in addition to an ongoing trend of multiple overdoses within Grey and Bruce this year and in 2020.
In 2021 alone, public health has marked at least 10 fatal overdoses, pending coroner confirmation, and two in the last two weeks, fentanyl and carfentanil are assumed to be involved.
While descriptions of the suspected substances are not available, public health says previous reports have shown the substances to be varying in different colours of grey, blue, yellow, pink, and purple, and all street drugs should be deemed highly toxic, and fatal.
Public health notes the opioid epidemic is not showing any signs of improving as these incidents in 2021, are in addition to the 23 overdose related fatalities in 2020.
Even with the ongoing Covid pandemic, all essential Harm Reduction Services remain operational, like the Needles Syringe Exchange Program, Naloxone Distribution, and proving 18 contracted locations with harm reduction supplies.
Focused outreach in high-risk areas throughout Grey Bruce have also been enhanced, which provide harm reduction services, Naloxone dispensing, and referrals to mental health and addiction services.
Harm Reduction Outreach Services have also been extended to cover housing systems and local food banks.
To remain safe, public health is advising those who use drugs to be as safe as possible by:
-Avoid using alone
-Avoid mixing different drugs
-Go slow
-Know your tolerance
-Get overdose prevention training and carry a Naloxone kit
-Call 911 if there is any emergency
For those who are scared to call law enforcement for overdose incidents, The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides protection from simple possession charges when 911 is called.
More details can be found on the Public Health Grey Bruce website.