Timmins, Ontario – Wednesday, January 31, 2025.
Northeastern Public Health, along with community partners on the Opioid Emergency Response Task Force, are mobilizing an opioid alert due to increases in suspected opioid poisonings (overdoses). In response to the increase in suspected opioid poisonings reported in Cochrane District, the Task Force is mobilizing a red alert. This heightened alert calls attention to the ongoing severity of the opioid and toxic drug supply crisis. Anyone who uses substances can experience an opioid poisoning, even if they don’t use frequently.
"We are concerned with a recent increase in number of ambulance calls for service for opioid poisonings. This unregulated supply may be tainted causing increased chances of respiratory arrest which may lead to death. We ask the people who use drugs, their families, partners and loved ones to be cautious, never use alone and ensure that you have Naloxone on hand," said Seamus Murphy, Deputy Chief of Standards and Community Services at Cochrane District Paramedic Service.
The health unit urges anyone who uses substances to carry Naloxone, the life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid poisoning. Naloxone is easy to use and available at most pharmacies and in all health unit offices across the region.