The opioid crisis in Ontario is a growing and evolving problem. Having accurate data on the impact of opioids helps us understand the extent of the opioid problem and provide timely warnings to those individuals at risk of overdose.

The OMARS (Overdose Monitoring, Alert and Response System) committee of the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy aims to provide local and timely information about overdose to the community including alerts about new, tainted or toxic substances in Waterloo Region. For more information about OMARS, please check the OMARS Backgrounder.

Alerts

OMARS will work to ensure the public is alerted when:

  • It is suspected that the local drug supply is tainted; and/or
  • There are counterfeit pharmaceuticals in the illicit market
  • There is other qualitative data/information available

Newsfeed

To receive overdose alerts, please subscribe to the Overdose newsfeed.

Current Overdose Alerts

Past Overdose Alerts

Please see below for a list of alerts issued through the OMARS Committee:

The OMARS committee is a partnership of the following agencies: Waterloo Regional Police Services, Region of Waterloo Public Health, Sanguen Health Centre, and The Working Centre/St. John's Kitchen.

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