The RCDHU and the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service are alerting residents about an increase in overdoses across Renfrew County and District (RCD).
Acting Commander, Steve Osipenko reports that “Paramedics in the Pembroke catchment area have noticed and reported a sharp rise in overdose and negative drug related reactions in the last 3 days. We are concerned for the community and its residents.”
Substances have yet to be confirmed, but it’s important to remember that all street drugs have the potential to be lethal.
Dr. Jason Morgenstern, Medical Officer of Health at RCDHU states, “As a result, we are issuing this alert to inform all partners and residents that life-threatening drugs are circulating in our community.”
Practical advice includes:
Don’t use alone – If you overdose and are with someone, they can get urgent help.
Carry naloxone (Narcan®)- as it can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose; kits are available for free throughout the catchment area at local pharmacies and other locations.
Don’t mix drugs with other drugs or alcohol.
If you are using street drugs, start by using in small amounts to check the strength of what you are doing.
Remember, risk of overdose increases if you are a new user or have not used in 3 or more days.
Should you wish, the Overdose Prevention Hotline, at 1-888-688-6677 can be on standby if you report to them that you are using alone; a volunteer will check in periodically and call 911 if there’s no response.
Some of the tell-tale signs that a person has OD’ed include an inability to be awakened; slow breathing or no breathing; discoloured lips and nails; rolled-back eyes or tiny pupils and a limp body.
All overdoses are a medical emergency and calling 911 is imperative.
RCDHU release summarized by Rick Stow
