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Haliburton County, Ont. has seen a rise in paramedic calls related to suspected overdoses, leading to a drug poisoning alert.
Lakelands Public Health announced the alert on Thursday, highlighting concerns about possible opioids being involved. The latest data wasn’t available. However, the health unit’s most recent information on its substance harms dashboard from the week of April 19 showed that there were 10 reported suspected drug overdoses in emergency departments and five overdose calls attended by paramedics. This data covers both Haliburton County and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
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Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. The situation is further complicated by the possibility that unregulated drugs could be mixed with other harmful substances. Because of this toxicity, several doses of naloxone might be needed to counteract the effects. “Naloxone should be used in all suspected drug overdoses, due to the possibility of opioid contamination or poisoning,” the health unit stated. Story continues below Some signs of an opioid overdose may include dilated pupils, slow or absent breathing, cold and clammy skin, blue or purple fingernails or lips, snoring or gurgling sounds, deep sedation, and trouble waking up. More on Health More videos “Anyone who sees a person experiencing a drug poisoning is urged to intervene. Call 911, give the person naloxone, and start rescue breathing and/or chest compressions,” the health unit states. “The Good Samaritan Act protects anyone trying to help in an emergency from possible legal repercussions. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act also helps protect people on the scene of an overdose from being charged for using or possessing drugs for personal use.” You can get free naloxone kits at all Lakelands Public Health offices, participating local pharmacies, and other local agencies. A similar drug poisoning alert was issued for Northumberland County south of Peterborough earlier this month. & copy 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.Source link
