Brantford-Brant sees spike in drug poisonings

In the wake of increased drug poisonings, Grand Erie Public Health urges caution when using any type of drug that hasn’t been prescribed to you.

Celeste Percy-Beauregard

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A spike of drug poisonings in Brantford-Brant has Grand Erie Public Health urging caution for those using unprescribed drugs.

In the first four days of January, there were seven drug-related “incidents” — more than the health unit would expect in that period, an alert from the health unit said.

While the cause of the spike is unknown, an “educated guess” is people were using unregulated drugs that were either more potent than expected, contaminated with unexpected substances, “or both,” said Alyssa Stryker, drugs strategy co-ordinator for GEPH.

Of the seven incidents, one person died and five others were taken to hospital, the health unit said.

The health unit added if you see someone who appears to be having an overdose, call 911 and give naloxone if available. The medication temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose caused by opioids like heroin, fentanyl, morphine and methadone, as well as other drugs contaminated with opioids.But the person should still be treated by emergency medical services, as the overdose can return once the naloxone wears off.

Opioid addiction has been an ongoing struggle in the community, which had Ontario’s highest number of opioid fatalities per capita in 2019.

The Brantford-Brant community drugs strategy — a local initiative that includes the health unit, City of Brantford, County of Brant and Brant Community Healthcare Centre — is working on its 2026 action plan, which will be released in February, the health unit said.

If you or someone you know uses drugs, the health unit gives the following tips to stay safe:

If you must use alone, have someone check in on you by phone or in person or call National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-NORS (6677) to have someone stay on the line with you in case of emergency.

If possible, buy from a trusted provider.

When using a new substance or your usual substance from a new provider, go slow and do a small “test dose” to see how it will affect you.

Get strips that test for fentanyl or xylazine from the Positive Health Network Van or SOAR Community Services.

Have naloxone on hand even if you don’t plan on using opioids.

For more information, visit bchu.org/statistics-and-reports/opioid-surveillance. 

Celeste Percy-Beauregard’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.