Sharp rise in opioid deaths in Simcoe Muskoka in 2019

Deaths from opioid use have increased 50 per cent in the first four months of 2019.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is putting out a warning on behalf of the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health on the sharp increase in the drug-related fatalities.

The numbers reported by the province are only preliminary, and may not be complete.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is warning that in the first four months of this year there has been a 50 per cent increase in deaths in Ontario from carfentanil, a powerful synthetic opioid. Carfentanil is many times more potent than other opioids.

 The health unit recommends you follow these tips to help avoid an overdose.

•         Make sure there is a supply of overdose treatment such as Naloxone close at hand.
•         Carry Naloxone and know how to use it to help anyone in an opioid overdose.
•         Don’t use drugs alone. If that’s not possible, ask a friend to check in on you.