By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
A recent spike in overdoses has prompted a warning from Chatham-Kent Public Health about the danger of drug poisonings.
In a media release, CK Public Health officials advise the rise is linked to an influx of fentanyl mixed with medetomidine –a veterinary sedative. The drug is similar to xylazine (“tranq”), but significantly stronger.
Officials say a medetomidine poisoning may require multiple doses of naloxone to reverse an overdose.
Medetomidine can cause deep sleepiness, a slow heart rate, low blood pressure, very low or no pulse, and hallucinations.
According to the release, withdrawal can occur rapidly within hours of last use and peak within 18-36 hours. Medetomidine withdrawal is considered a medical emergency and may require hospitalization.
Long periods of sedation can leave people vulnerable to assault, extreme cold, or other environmental dangers, officials said in the warning.
“This serves as an important reminder that the unregulated drug supply is unpredictable and always changing,” the release stated. “Substances may not be what individuals expect, increasing the risk of harm or death.”
According to CKPH spokesperson Jacquie Cartwright, public health issues warnings based on near real-time statistics.
Cartwright said public health is alerted when the calls related to drug poisonings are higher than usual in a seven-day period.
“Over the past week, there have been about two overdose‑related EMS calls per day,” Cartwright said.
This amounts to what public health saw in both November and December where numbers were already elevated.
“In addition to the increase in EMS calls, we’re also seeing more opioid‑related emergency department visits and suspected drug‑related deaths for the same week,” she said. “Community partners and people with lived experience have also reported increased concerns.”
Since 2021, about one in five opioid deaths in Ontario occurs amongst people experiencing homelessness, health officials said. Half of all opioid toxicity deaths occur among people living in areas experiencing the highest level of material resource deprivation.
In the event of overdose, individuals are advised to call 911 and to administer naloxone to the user if opiate use is suspected. Do not leave someone who is overdosing alone; stay with them to assist until paramedics arrive.
Other advice for drug users is to avoid using alone and to have a safety plan whereby someone checks on you. Users are advised not to mix drugs, to know the quality of drugs and to be aware of their tolerance level.
They can also call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) Safer Consumption Hotline at 1-888-688-6677.
To learn more about where you can get a free naloxone kit visit ckphu.com/naloxone. To view the most recent opioid surveillance report, visit ckphu.com/opioids.
