The South East Health Unit (SEHU) is alerting residents to a recent rise in drug-involved poisonings within the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) region.
Napanee-area partners have noted an increase in drug-involved poisonings reportedly resulting in significant harm and death since July 3. Partners noted these harms occurred after use of drugs from the unregulated street drug supply, including substances expected to be fentanyl and cocaine. While current reports were initiated in the Napanee area, SEHU is extending this alert to the whole southeast region.
SEHU would like to emphasize the ongoing unpredictability and toxicity of the unregulated drug supply in our communities. High-potency opioids increase the risk of drug poisoning and reversing their effects may require higher-than-usual doses of naloxone. Non-opioid substances, including unregulated stimulants such as cocaine, can also result in significant harm and death. Data from Public Health Ontario (PHO) indicates an increase in stimulant-related deaths in recent years. Stimulant-related harms may occur when used alone or when combined with opioid drugs, such as fentanyl, either intentionally or by way of contamination.
Naloxone should always be given when drug poisoning is suspected. While it will not reverse the effects of other kinds of drugs or contaminants, it will help reverse the effects of any opioids present.
In addition to informing key partners, including the public, promoting access to naloxone kits and other harm reduction measures, and continuing efforts to prevent drug-related harms, SEHU is urging people to:
- Avoid using alone. Roughly 75 percent of opioid poisoning deaths happen when no one is there to help. If you use alone, tell someone before you do and have a safety plan that includes having someone check in on you. Alternatives may include:
- Using with a friend or family member present or virtually, staggering use if both are using drugs.
- Using a supervised consumption service in-person at Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) at 661 Montreal St. in Kingston or virtually by calling the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-NORS (6677)
- Avoid using more than one drug at a time, including alcohol.
- Go slow. The quality of unregulated drugs is very unpredictable.
- Get a free naloxone kit and training. Always carry it with you. Consider carrying multiple doses of naloxone.
- Call 911 immediately if you suspect drug poisoning to ensure emergency medical treatment is provided.
If you have a friend or family member who uses drugs, please share the above safety information with them. We also advise that you obtain a free naloxone kit and training.
For more information on harm reduction visit the KFL&A Public Health website
About supervised consumption services
Supervised consumption services are supportive services that allow people to engage in the supervised consumption of their substances. This supervision reduces the likelihood of harmful outcomes like fatal drug poisonings and is an extension of existing harm reduction programs that provide easy-to-access, life-saving harm reduction services in a stigma-free environment, to help reduce the large number of opioid and other substance-related deaths.
Kingston’s Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) provides:
- Supervised consumption services including drug poisoning response if needed
- Harm reduction education and supplies, including disposal of used supplies
- Naloxone
- Connection with community support workers
- Drug checking
Kingston’s CTS is located within the Integrated Care Hub at 661 Montreal Street in Kingston. Anyone is welcome to come to the CTS, which is open seven days a week, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CTS is a drop-in service and does not require an appointment or a referral to access the site.
The National Overdose Response Service (NORS) is a phone-based virtual safe consumption service. The service is available by calling the toll-free number 24/7 across Canada. Trained peer volunteers answer calls, assist in making a safety plan and stay on the line with the person for approximately 20-35 minutes. Safety plans can include a community response (someone you trust nearby with Naloxone) or an EMS dispatch. The volunteer will check in with the person every few minutes and will follow the agreed-on safety plan if the person becomes unresponsive.
NORS virtual safe consumption line: 1-888-688-6677
For more information: https://www.nors.ca/
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For more information about this alert, please contact: communications@kflaph.ca
