Public health units in Waterloo Region and Brantford have noticed a troubling trend. On Wednesday, Grand Erie Public Health said seven drug-related overdoses were reported between Feb. 16 and Feb. 22, according to data from the Brantford Police Service. Although no deaths were reported in those overdoses, the health unit urged anyone using drugs to be cautious and never consume drugs while alone. Meanwhile, over in Waterloo Region, 35 suspected overdoses and one suspected drug-related death were reported between Feb. 21 and Feb. 25. In that case, the Sanguen Drug Checking Program found fentanyl samples that contained unexpected levels of medetomidine, benzodiazepines, xylazine, and nitazenes. Those substances can increase the risk of an overdose. The substances of concern were yellow, dark orange or dark blue. Both health units stressed the importance of administering Naloxone in the event of a suspected opioid overdose, but noted it is also important to call 911 for help. Naloxone cannot stop the effects non-opioid drugs like medetomidine, benzodiazepine, and xylazine.
