Five suspected overdoses reported on Feb. 27 in Brantford

Naloxone kit in Winnipeg on May 25, 2023. (Source: Michelle Gerwing/CTV News Winnipeg)

For a second consecutive week, there’s been a rise in suspected opioid-related overdoses in Brantford.

There were seven non-fatal drug poisonings reported from Feb. 16 to Feb. 22 and an additional 10 non-fatal incidents between Feb. 23 and March 1, based on data from the Brantford Police Service.

Five of those overdoses happened on Feb. 27 alone.

“This exceeds the number of drug-related incidents that are typical for such a short timeframe,” Grand Erie Public Health said in a media release on Tuesday.

Officials are asking the public to exercise caution when using any non-prescribed drug, adding that newer drug users are particularly at risk.

“Unregulated drugs may have unpredictable potency or contain unexpected and dangerous contaminants,” public health said.

If you think someone is suffering from a drug overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Public health shared these tips to reduce the risk of an overdose:

• Try not to use alone. If you must use alone, get someone to check on you either by phone or in person, or call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-NORS (6677). NORS will stay on the phone with you while you use drugs and call for help if needed.
• Go slow if you are using a new substance or have purchased your usual substances from a new supplier. Take a small test dose first to see how it is going to affect you.
• Purchase from a trusted supplier if possible. Be especially careful if you have recently switched suppliers.
• Carry naloxone, even if you do not expect to be using opioids. Remember that your drug may be contaminated with fentanyl or other high-potency opioids even if you are not expecting an opioid.
• Test drugs intended for use. Test strips that can detect fentanyl or xylazine are available through SOAR Community Services at the following locations: 133 Elgin St. and 1-225 Fairview Dr. in Brantford; The Drop at 185 Robinson St. in Simcoe; and the Positive Health Network Van. To access the van, call or text [phone] for Brantford-Brant, or [phone] for Haldimand, Norfolk, and Six Nations.