Community Drug Alert - Three suspected drug poisoning/overdose related deaths

The Overdose Monitoring Alert and Response System (OMARS) is issuing a Community Drug Alert for Waterloo Region.

From September 17 to September 23, there was an increase in reported overdoses/ drug poisonings, with 41 reported overdoses, and 3 suspected drug-related deaths

The Kitchener CTS Drug Checking Program found high potency Fentanyl circulating with Oxazepam. Dexmedetomidine, Fentanyl, Paraflurofentanyl, and Bromazolam were also found in samples over the last week.

Colours of concern are cream, white/yellow, blue/green, and pink.

Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine-related drug with a slow onset that can slow or stop breathing, especially if an opioid or alcohol was recently used. Oxazepam is known as a slow "creeper" because the risk of overdose may not happen right away but could happen later.

For more information check the full Comunity Drug Alert, Sept 24, 2024 release.