Residents are Advised to Carry Multiple Naloxone Kits
Written by Comms Team, March 15, 2023
Peterborough Public Health Shares Safety Tips to Prevent Drug Poisonings
Peterborough Public Health is reminding community members about the importance of drug poisoning prevention as St. Patrick’s Day and National Poison Prevention Week approaches. The use of any unregulated substance or street drug could result in a drug poisoning. Residents are urged to carry multiple naloxone kits and to avoid using drugs alone.
“Unfortunately, it is common for multiple doses of naloxone to be required to revive people who are experiencing an opioid related drug poisoning,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “We are strongly urging residents to carry multiple naloxone kits to ensure there is enough supply to save a life.”
Next week, March 19 to 25 is National Poison Prevention Week. Residents are reminded that any unregulated substance could be tainted and lead to a drug poisoning. Dr. Piggott explains, “even party drugs can be tainted. Unfortunately, we have seen party drugs lead to opioid related drug poisonings in the past. We are strongly urging anyone who uses drugs or will be in a setting where drugs may be used, like a party, to pick-up naloxone kits this week and carry multiple naloxone kits. It could save a life.” Naloxone kits are available throughout the Peterborough region. Find a participating location at www.ontario.ca/page/where-get-free-naloxone-kit
If you are using drugs,
- NEVER use drugs alone
- Carry MULTIPLE naloxone kits. Keep them visible
- AVOID mixing drugs
- NEVER share supplies
- Visit the Consumption Treatment Services site at 220 Simcoe Street. Open 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., daily
- Call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677 before using drugs
- Seek medical care for unusual skin lesions
If you observe a drug poisoning or overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately, administer naloxone, and stay with them until help arrives. Under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, anyone who seeks medical help for themselves or for someone else who has overdosed, WILL NOT be charged for using or possessing drugs for personal use.
Free and confidential local support is available 24/7 for anyone who may be experiencing a crisis:
- Four County Crisis
- Call 705-745-6484 or 1-866-995-9933 (toll-free)
- Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough
- Call 705-745-2273
Residents can anonymously report drug poisonings and other bad drug reactions using the ‘Drug Reporting Tool’. Any information shared through the tool supports Peterborough Public Health and community partners in responding to and preventing drug poisonings in the Peterborough area. The Drug Reporting Tool can be accessed by clicking here.
For more information, or to find out how to access naloxone, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and search for “Opioids” or click here.
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For further information, please contact:
Media Relations
Media@peterboroughpublichealth.ca