Tainted opioids are the prime suspects in a current increase in overdoses across Cochrane District. In response, Northern Public Health and its community partners on the Opioid Emergency Response Task Force have declared a red alert.
Seamus Murphy, a deputy chief who represents EMS on the task force, says the number of ambulance calls is up. He adds that the tainted supply on the street increases chances of respiratory arrest and consequently, death.
The health unit is repeating its plea for substance users to carry Naloxone, which can temporarily reverse those effects. It’s available at most pharmacies and all health unit offices in the region.
