Drug strategy issues alert after 22 poisonings, two deaths in a week

GUELPH – Local drug strategy officials have issued a health alert following “at least” 22 drug poisonings, including two deaths, in the past week in Guelph and Wellington County.

The Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy (WGDS) issued the alert on Feb. 20, noting light green and beige "are colours of concern."

"The current unregulated drug supply is unpredictably potent and contains other substances, such as medetomidine, a veterinary tranquilizer," the alert states, urging "extreme caution" when using unregulated substances.

"Medetomidine is not an opioid and does not respond to naloxone. Assume that medetomidine may be present."

However, WGDS officials say naloxone should still be given in any suspected drug poisoning, as opioids may also be present.

"Drug poisoning incidents are showing heavy sedation," they state.

"After naloxone is given, check that the person is breathing regularly. If they are very sedated but still breathing, encourage them to breathe steadily before further assistance arrives."

Strategy officials offer the following tips to reduce the risk of drug poisoning:

• carry naloxone;
• avoid using substances alone or, if alone, call the National Overdose Response Service: 1-888-688-NORS (6677);
• share harm reduction information and resources from public health and the WGDS;
• connect to substance use and mental health supports and/or reacheout to Here 24/7;
• start low and go slow (with any new substance, start with one-third of a normal dose); and
• test substances at the Community Health Centre (176 Wyndham St. North) or with kits from the Sanguen Community Health Van or Wyndham House. Fentanyl test strips are available from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

For more information on responding to a drug poisoning, visit wdgpublichealth.ca.

More details about drug testing options can be found on the Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy website.