Grand Erie Public Health says they have seen a rise in drug-related incidents in both Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk. Data, collected between Aug. 22 and Aug. 26, showed 22 drug-related visits to local emergency departments. Six suspected fatal overdoses were also reported between Aug. 1 and Aug. 25. “Many of the recent incidents and emergency department visits involved opioids or medetomidine,” the health unit said in a drug alert on Aug. 28. Medetomidine is a tranquilizer that is only approved for use in animals. “GEPH urges people to use caution when taking any drug that has not been prescribed to them,” the release said. Anyone experiencing an overdose should be given naloxone, even if they did not intentionally or knowingly take an opioid. “Naloxone temporarily reverses overdoses caused by opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, methadone and morphine, as well as non-opioid drugs contaminated with opioids,” the alert read. “It will not harm someone who has not used opioids.” Grand Erie Public Health also recommends drug testing, which can detect the presence of fentanyl, xylazine or medetomidine. “Those who are new to drug use may be at greater risk because unregulated drugs can have unpredictable potency and contain dangerous contaminants,” they said. Test strips are available at:
