40 overdoses recorded in one week, says WRIDS
The Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy (WRIDS) is sounding the alarm after a significant number of drug overdose and poisonings were reported over the last week.
According to WRIDS, Between May 31 and June 5, there were 40 overdose and poisoning cases reported.
"You know, it's alarming for us," said Chief of Paramedic Services John Riches. "We're concerned about it and we're worried about the public and obviously want to make sure that people are safe and healthy."
When asked, WRIDS said it was unable to confirm if any of the 40 overdoses/drug poisonings mentioned in the alert were fatal.
As of Sunday, officials haven’t been able to determine if there is a tainted drug supply in the community.
"It was important enough for public health and paramedic services and all our partners on the drug strategy to get the alert out there because we wanted residents to be aware of the concern and to do things to protect themselves,” said Riches.
According the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services, there have been 544 opioid overdose and drug poisoning–related calls in Waterloo region this year, with a suspected 29 opioid-related deaths.
Graph showing the count of suspected opioid overdose/drug poisoning related calls in Waterloo region. (Submitted: Region of Waterloo)
Confirmed and probable opioid-related deaths with suspected drug-related deaths in Waterloo region. (Submitted: Region of Waterloo)
"Every community is grappling with making sure that their residents that are struggling with drug addiction are being supported,” Riches said. “It's not unique to the Region of Waterloo but certainly very concerning for the Region of Waterloo."
A University of Waterloo professor in the School of Public Health Sciences doesn’t believe the recent rise in cases qualifies as a drug crisis in the region but says the spike could foreshadow more difficult days ahead for those relying on unregulated drug supply.
"If you see a trend of increase in cases, then you can say ‘yes it's more than before and we need to see what's happening’, so more investigation is definitely needed as to the causes," said Zahid Butt.
Riches says the alert is one way officials are doing everything they can to save lives.
"We do worry about people's overall health when they are addicted to a substance and that's why the Region of Waterloo and our partners…really want to make sure that we provide supportive care when necessary and also help people get access to preventative care," Riches said.
The last time WRIDS issued a community drug alert was on Apr. 6 and there have been three alerts issued so far this year. Officials are hoping to remind those in need the Consumption and Treatment Services site at 150 Duke St. West is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.