Ottawa Public Health issues alert after local drug overdose-related deaths

The Ottawa Overdose Prevention and Response Task Force is warning residents about an increase in suspected overdose-related deaths and injury in Ottawa.

This comes after six overdoses, including three deaths, reported since Monday.

Based on preliminary testing by Ottawa Public Health, it is suspected that cocaine cut with fentanyl may have been a contributing factor in those incidents. 

Ongoing investigations and toxicology laboratory testing are being conducted to confirm the source of the overdoses.

Individuals who choose to use drugs are reminded to:

• Never use alone and not at the same time as the other person.
• Don't mix drugs — mixing with other drugs creates a higher risk of overdose;
• Go slow — the quality of street drugs is unpredictable, anything can be cut with fentanyl or carfentanil;
• Know your tolerance — risk of overdose increases for new users or those who haven't used in more than three days;
• Those choosing to use should consider visiting one of the four Supervised Consumption and Treatment Services locations in Ottawa.

Residents with friends or family members who chooses to use drugs are encouraged to:

• Know the signs of an overdose and call 911 — an overdose is always a medical emergency;
• Carry naloxone — it is a medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose;
• Call 911 immediately if you witness an overdose — give naloxone, perform rescue breathing and/or chest compressions, and stay with them.

The Task Force would also like to remind residents about the signs of an opioid overdose which includes:

• Breathing will be slow or absent
• Lips and nails are blue
• Person is not moving
• Person may be choking
• Person will make gurgling or snoring sounds
• Person can't be woken up
• Skin feels cold and clammy
• Pupils are tiny (also known as pinpoint)
• For more information and to learn more about harm reduction services and treatment services, please visit StopOverdoseOttawa.ca.