Two deaths and 38 suspected overdoses reported in less than a week

A stock photo of illicit drugs. (Getty Images)

A community drug alert has been issued for Waterloo Region after dozens of suspected overdoses were reported in less than a week.

Two deaths and 38 suspected drug poisonings were reported in Waterloo Region between May 27 and May 31.

Sanguen’s Drug Checking program found fentanyl samples with high amounts of non-opioids, such as medetomidine and benzodiazepines, and unexpected opioids, such as carfentanil and nitazenes.

Some fentanyl samples also contained a non-opioid known as Nefopam. It is a pain-relief drug which can be used as a sedative, but has not been approved for use in Canada.

The drug checking program also found Xylazine mixed with meth. Region of Waterloo Public Health said the mixture could cause someone to become unexpectedly sleepy.

People who use drugs are urged to never use alone. Symptoms of overdoses can include extreme sleepiness or sedation and a low heart rate.

Naloxone should be administered if an overdose is suspected.

Although Naloxone cannot stop the effects of non-opioid drugs, such as medetomidine and benzodiazepine, people are still encouraged to administer it if they believe someone is experiencing an overdose.

Naloxone is a substance that temporarily reverse the symptoms of an opioid overdose. It is important to seek medical help after administering the potentially life-saving drug. A person experiencing an overdose may also need more than one dose of Naloxone. According to the Government of Canada, it only works if a person has opioids in their system, and Naloxone cannot be improperly used or create dependence.