Spike of fentanyl overdoses in Guelph, group says

Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy is sounding the alarm after a number of overdoses in the city.

According to a post on its Twitter account, Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy (WGDS) says there has been a spike in the number of overdoses over the past two weeks, which are believed to be the result of fentanyl.

Health Alert! Overdose risk. Overdose surge in #Guelph @GuelphGeneral @cityofguelph @DowntownGuelph @ARCHGuelph @GuelphFHT @WDGPublicHealth @GuelphCHC @WyndhamHouse1 Please share widely. pic.twitter.com/4h8zMuRDtQ

— Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy (@WGDrugStrategy) May 2, 2019

For those using drugs, WGDS is advising them to carry naloxone, never use alone, start low and go slow (for example, starting with a third of a normal dose with every new purchase) and to use the overdose prevention site at the Guelph Community Health Centre.

Naloxone, a drug that can be used to block or reverse the effects of an opioid drug overdose, can be picked up from the following locations:

• The Overdose Prevention Site/Guelph Community Health Centre (176 Wyndham St. N.) — seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (160 Chancellors Way) — Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• ARCH (Unit 110, 77 Westmount Rd.) — Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Sanguen (176 Wyndham St. N.) — Monday, Wednesday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Guelph Community Health Centre (176 Wyndham St. N.) — Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Naloxone kits are also available from a number of pharmacies in Guelph and across Ontario. A list of pharmacies with available kits is available by clicking here.