Health officials in Renfrew County believe cocaine is being mixed with highly potent opioid drugs, such as fentanyl, in the region, putting those who use drugs at great risk.
Renfrew County District Health Unit and the County of Renfrew Paramedic Services issued a joint statement to warn residents. They say they’ve seen several cases of people overdosing over the last week.
They say that all street drugs should be considered highly toxic and potentially fatal. And those who struggle with drug use, should take extra precautions, such as carrying a naloxone kit, and not using drugs alone.
Individuals who use street drugs can reduce their risk of an overdose by doing the following:
Don’t use alone: If you overdose, there will be no one there to help.
Carry a Naloxone kit. Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose and kits are
available for free throughout Renfrew County at local pharmacies and other locations. For more information on where to get a kit please visit this link.
Don’t mix drugs with other drugs or alcohol, as it puts you at higher risk of
overdosing.
Go slow: The quality of street drugs is unpredictable. If you are using street drugs, start by using in small amounts (testers or test doses) to check the strength of what you are using.
Know your tolerance: The risk of overdose increases if you are a new user or have not used in three or more days.
If you have no other choice than to use alone, always call the Overdose Prevention Hotline 1-888-688-6677 (National Overdose Response Service) to have someone standing by to call for help if needed. A volunteer will check in periodically and call 911 if there’s no response.