Photo via KFL&A Public Health.
Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health has issued an alert to warn residents about “a recent rise in drug-involved poisonings” in the KFL&A region.
In a press release on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, KFL&A Public Health said that, since the past weekend, community partners, including Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS), have reported a notable increase in apparent drug poisonings. CTS coordinator,Justine McIsaac observed that these overdoses are happening quickly, and that preliminary local drug checking has identified fluorofentanyl in samples tested from the local drug supply.
“Fluorofentanyl is a potent opioid considered to be up to twice as strong as fentanyl,” the local Health Unit said.
KFL&A Public Health emphasized the ongoing “unpredictability and toxicity of the unregulated drug supply in our communities.” According to the release, high-potency opioids increase the risk of drug poisoning and reversing their effects may require higher-than-usual doses of naloxone.
“Naloxone should always be given when drug poisoning is suspected. While it will not reverse the effects of other kinds of drugs or contaminants, it will help reverse the effects of any opioids present,” Public Health explained.
In addition to informing key partners, including the public, promoting access to naloxone kits and other harm reduction measures, and continuing efforts to prevent drug-related harms, KFL&A Public Health is urging people to:
Avoid using alone. If you use alone, tell someone before you use and have a safety plan that includes having someone check in with you. Alternatives may include: Using with a friend or family member present or virtually, staggering use if both are using drugs. Using a supervised consumption service in person at Consumption and Treatment Services at 661 Montreal St. in Kingston or virtually by calling the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-NORS (6677).
If you use alone, tell someone before you use and have a safety plan that includes having someone check in with you. Alternatives may include: Avoid using more than one drug at a time, including alcohol.
using more than one drug at a time, including alcohol. Go slow. The quality of unregulated drugs is very unpredictable.
The quality of unregulated drugs is very unpredictable. Get a free naloxone kit and training. Always carry it with you. Consider carrying multiple doses of naloxone.
Always carry it with you. Consider carrying multiple doses of naloxone. Call 911 for emergency medical treatment immediately if drug poisoning is suspected.
“If you have a friend or family member who uses drugs share the above safety information with them,” the local Health Unit said.
According to the release, Consumption Treatment Services (CTS) is a safe, supportive space where people may engage in the supervised consumption of their substances. This supervision reportedly reduces the likelihood of harmful outcomes like fatal overdoses and is an extension of existing harm reduction programs that provide easy-to-access, life-saving harm reduction services in a stigma-free environment, to help reduce the growing number of opioid-related overdose deaths.
The CTS provides:
Supervised injection
Harm reduction supplies, including disposal of used supplies
Naloxone
Connection with community support workers
Public Health shared that Kingston’s CTS is located within the Integrated Care Hub (located at 661 Montreal Street in Kingston). Anyone is welcome to come to the CTS, which is open seven days a week, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The CTS is a drop-in service and does not require an appointment or a referral to access the site.
For more information on harm reduction, visit the KFL&A Public Health website.
Public Health warns of increase in drug poisonings in KFL&A
