Leeds, Grenville and Lanark health unit seeing spike of toxic drug overdoses

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL) Health Unit is warning that there’s been a rise in toxic drug poisoning within LGL.

In a media release, the health unit wrote that there have been 21 emergency visits for drug poisoning within the last two weeks. They say that is twice the number they usually get.

The health unit says it monitors drug poisonings locally through the drug poisoning early warning and surveillance system,” wrote the health unit. “This system monitors data sources such as emergency room visits, Ontario Chief Coroner reports and the online overdose reporting tool used by community partner agencies to notify the Health Unit of drug poisoning that may not have sought medical care.”

It also warns that xylazine has also been detected in the unregulated local drug supply.

“Xylazine can cause deep sedation, slow down breathing and heart rate, lower blood pressure, increase blood sugars, constrict pupils and cause extreme feelings of tiredness and fatigue,” they wrote.

The presence of the drug dramatically increases the risk of a fatal drug poisoning if mixed with opioids or benzodiazepines, they say.

“The Health Unit is reminding the general public and those who use substances that Xylazine does not respond to naloxone, the medication used to reverse opioid drug poisoning,” wrote officials. “All drug poisonings are considered a medical emergency and seeking out emergency medical care is a vital step in the prevention of further fatalities.”

The risk of an overdose can be reduced by following safer use practices:

• Call 911 in the event of an overdose;
• Carry a naloxone kit;
• Avoid mixing substances;
• Use a small test dose first; and
• Do not use alone.

Health officials say that if someone is using alone, they can call the Overdose Prevention Hotline 1-888-688-6677 for help.