DRYDEN — The Northwestern Health Unit has been made aware that fentanyl has been found in drug supplies, such as crack cocaine, in the Dryden area.
The health unit posted an advisory to social media this week, alerting that fentanyl had been detected in street drugs.
Health unit harm reduction manager Donna Stanley said the health unit does not collect data or test the drug supply of users, but they provide fentanyl test strips to users to test their supply themselves.
Stanley said users have informed the health unit that their supply has been contaminated with fentanyl.
Fentanyl is extremely dangerous and when mixed with other classifications of drugs, it can result in an overdose.
The health unit is advising that users should test their supply before using it to reduce the likelihood of an overdose. The health unit provides naloxone kits and training on its proper use.
Naloxone is a free life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects of unregulated drugs like fentanyl, heroin, morphine, and codeine. It is ineffective on non-opioid drugs.
Naloxone comes in two forms; an injection or nasal spray. The nasal spray is a one-time dose which takes about one to five minutes to be effective.
Naloxone is available at health unit offices, pharmacies, and Ontario Addictions Treatment Centre. Free education sessions are available on the proper use of Naloxone.
