41 overdoses, 3 deaths in a week prompts community drug alert for Waterloo region

A community drug alert has been issued for Waterloo region after there were 41 reported overdoses and three suspected drug-related deaths in the span of a week.

The overdose monitoring alert and response system, which is part of the Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy, said the increase in overdoses and the three deaths happened between Sept. 17 and Sept. 23.

Colours of concern for the drugs are: Cream, white/yellow, blue/green and pink.

The drug checking program at the Kitchener consumption and treatment site "found high potency fentanyl circulating with Oxazepam," the alert said.

HealthLink B.C. says Oxazepam is used to treat anxiety andacute alcohol withdrawal symptoms and is in a class of drugs calledbenzodiazepines.

"Oxazepam has a risk for abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. Taking this medication with alcohol or other drugs that can cause drowsiness or breathing problems," the HealthLink B.C. summary says.

The community drug alert for Waterloo region also notedOxazepam"is known as a slow 'creeper'because the risk of overdose may not happen right away but could happen later."

As well, the alert notednaloxone does not reverse the effects of non-opioid substance such as Oxazepam.

The community drug alert said other drugs, including the pain medicationDexmedetomidine,the opioid Paraflurofentanyl, andthe sedative Bromazolam were also found in samples over the last week.

The New Brunswick government issued an alert aboutBromazolam in 2022 noting it is not approved for medical use anywhere in the world. In 2023, a family in Peterborough, Ont., brought attention to the drug because it isavailable online and their son died after taking it.

WATCH|Why is dangerous, illegal drug Bromazolam so easy to buy online?:

Why is dangerous, illegal drug Bromazolam so easy to buy online?

1 year ago

Duration 5:26

An Ontario family is sounding the alarm about how easy it is to access to a potentially deadly drug online. Bromazolam has been involved in a growing number of overdose deaths across the country.