Pubdate: Thu, 28 Jan 2016
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Johanna Weidner
Page: B2

SPATE OF DRUG OVERDOSES PROMPTS PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT

WATERLOO REGION - Multiple heroin overdoses reported in Kitchener and
Cambridge in the past week prompted an alert on Wednesday.

Between Saturday and Tuesday, there were five non-fatal overdoses and
one fatal overdose.

"What we're seeing is unusual," said Paul Gregory, co-ordinator of the
Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy. But not unexpected. "We've
been concerned since we've seen it in B.C.," Gregory said.

In the last few months, there was a spike in overdoses from fentanyl
and tainted drugs in British Columbia. Then the pattern of overdoses
started to move east into Alberta.

"The wave's just hit," Gregory said.

Heroin is suspected in five of the local overdoses and fentanyl, a
powerful prescription opioid, in at last one.

Both chronic and recreational drug users are at risk.

"It's affecting all users," Gregory said.

People are urged to avoid mixing drugs, use a little at first, and
"don't use alone," Gregory said. Additional training is planned in
overdose prevention and drug users are encouraged to get naloxone,
which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Naloxone kits and training are available from Region of Waterloo
Public Health and Sanguen Health Centre, a clinic for people living
with or at risk of hepatitis C.

The overdose alert was issued by the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs
Strategy, a network of community partners. In response to the spike in
overdoses in B.C., it created a crisis system, set up to monitor,
alert and respond to overdoses.

Gregory said he hopes the recent spate of overdoses here will not
continue. "We're hoping it's not more than that."