KENORA — The Northwestern Health Unit is issuing a warning after it says it’s receiving more reports of drug overdoses.
A “drug alert” issued Friday said the substance responsible for the spike hasn’t been identified, but “the effectiveness of naloxone suggests that opioids may be involved.”
“It is unclear which drugs the substance is being sold as or mixed with, but various methods of use have been reported,” the bulletin said, adding that, while these reports are coming from the Kenora area, they’ve also gotten word that there are non-opioid drugs that contain opioids in the Sioux Lookout area.
“This raises concerns about the presence of new unregulated drugs in the region that may be contaminated or laced with opioids or other sedative-enhancing compounds, increasing the risk of death,” the alert said. “Any drug being used could potentially contain opioids capable of causing poisoning.”
The health unit also reminded the public of the symptoms of opioid poisoning. They include:
- low, irregular, or no breathing;
- loss of consciousness;
- low blood pressure and heart rate;
- drowsiness;
- confusion;
- slurred speech;
- blurred vision;
- pinpoint pupils or eyes rolled back.
Public health officials also encouraged people to carry naloxone and know how to use it, check in with people who use substances, not to use alone and if using with someone, not to use at the same time, call 911 if someone suspects an overdose and to report poisonings or other adverse situations to the health unit’s online system.
The health unit also encouraged people to use the Lifeguard app.
