The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) and Cornwall Police Service (CPS) are warning residents about an increase in drug-related poisonings in Cornwall. The EOHU has been notified by its community partners that a toxic substance present in the unregulated drug supply may be causing the drug poisonings. The substance is called “pink fentanyl,” although its exact composition is currently unknown.

Drug poisoning prevention and safety tips

The best way to prevent a drug poisoning is to avoid unregulated substances and to only take medications that were prescribed to you by a healthcare professional. However, if you’re going to use unregulated substances, taking the following precautions will help to lower the risk:

• Avoid using alone.
• If you are going to use alone, tell someone before you do and have a safety plan that includes having someone check in on you, or call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677. A non-judgmental peer will stay on the line with you for approximately 30 minutes to provide support if needed.
• Use only where help is available.
• Avoid using more than one substance at a time. Don’t mix with alcohol or other medications and/or substances (except as prescribed by a medical professional). Take a test dose and wait before taking more of the substance.
• Get a free naloxone kit that can help to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
• Use only new drug paraphernalia supplies and avoid sharing supplies to reduce your risk of getting or passing on an infectious disease.

Signs of an opioid poisoning

Opioids such as fentanyl slow down the part of the brain that controls breathing, and in the event of a poisoning, can cause someone to stop breathing, potentially resulting in their death. Individuals having an opioid poisoning will display one or more of the following signs:

• They may be nodding off, not waking up easily, or unresponsive.
• They may be breathing very slowly or not at all.
• Their lips and fingernails may be blue/grey.
• Their skin may be cold and clammy.
• Their body may be limp, possibly very tense or they may be shaking.
• They may be snoring or gurgling.
• They may foam at the mouth or throw up.
  

If you witness a poisoning, it is essential to contact 911 as soon as possible. A naloxone kit alone may not be enough to reverse the fatal effects of opioids and medical attention may be required. As time is of the essence, naloxone should be administered while you wait for emergency services to arrive. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can provide some legal protection for individuals that seek emergency help during a poisoning.

To learn more about naloxone overdose prevention kits and where you can find them, visit the Opioids page of the EOHU’s website at www.EOHU.ca, or visit www.ontario.ca/naloxone.

For more information about this news update, please send your request to media@eohu.ca.  

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