35 overdoses in 6 days prompt drug poisoning alert for Waterloo region

In six days, there were 35 reported drug overdoses in Waterloo region, prompting an alert from the Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy.

The 35 cases were reported between Oct. 31 and Nov. 5, the community drug alert released on Wednesday says.

"Concerns were raised by community members about the unpredictability of the meth supply which may cause unexpected reactions," the alert says.

It notes the colours of concern when it comes to fentanyl are deep yellow, pale yellow, orange, and green.

The drug checking program at the consumption and treatment site in Kitchener is also reporting an increase inxylazine.

"The presence of opioids in combination with xylazine increases the risk of an overdose / drug poisoning and death. When using xylazine, the person may not wake up for a long time. If possible, stay with the person until they wake up or help arrives," the alert warns.

Health Canada saysxylazineis a non-narcotic pain reliever used in veterinary medicine and it is not currently approved for human use in Canada. It's not unusual to find it mixed with other street drugs as Health Canada reports that in 2022, 75 per centof samples submitted to the Drug Analysis Service by Ontario police services containedxylazine.

Other drugs including medetomidine/dexmedetomidine and oxazepam continue to be detected in local street drugs, the community drug alert said.

The alert also notes thatnaloxone does not reverse the effects of non-opioid substances such as xylazine, oxazepam, and medetomidine/dexmedetomidine,but it's still recommended naloxone should still be given in suspected overdoses.

WATCH|Learn how to use analoxone kit:

Learn how to reverse opioid poisoning with a naloxone kit

1 month ago

Duration 3:24

Volunteers from the Waterloo Region Drug Action Team were at Kitchener's city hall on Wednesday to teach community members how to use a naloxone kit to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The volunteers also wanted to raise awareness of the negative impacts of the provincial government's decision to close the city's consumption and treatment services site by March 31, 2025. Reporting by Aastha Shetty/CBC