Drug warning: Increase in suspected drug poisonings (overdoses)

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The Community Drug Strategy has received reports of an increase in the number of drug poisonings (overdoses) and unexpected reactions from the use of toxic substances in Sudbury and districts.

While we cannot confirm the substance(s) causing the overdoses, this situation serves as an important reminder to the community that street drugs, including stimulants, may be cut or mixed with substances such as benzos (benzodiazepines), xylazine, fentanyl, or carfentanil. Frontline workers warn that substances with greater toxicity than usual may be circulating locally. There has also been an increase in reports of individuals having abnormal reactions after using white powdered substances.

An overdose occurs when a person uses a substance, and their body is unable to handle the effects. As a result, the brain is unable to control basic life functions. The person might pass out, stop breathing, or experience a seizure. Overdoses can be both fatal and non-fatal.

Prevent overdoses to save lives:

Opioid overdose symptoms include:

Stimulant overdose symptoms include:

Due to benzodiazepines (benzos) toxicity, an overdose may last for hours and look like:

How to respond to an overdose:

Please distribute this information widely to help share the message.


This item was last modified on March 29, 2023