Timmins-area opioid overdoses reach crisis level, officials say
Over the past week, the Porcupine Health Unit has issued two alerts warning people about an increase in the number of opioid overdoses and deaths in the Timmins-area.
Health officials in the area told CTV News the issue has now reached a crisis level.
Since March 2, the Timmins’ Opioid Emergency Response Task Force has issued two warnings about suspected opioid overdoses and deaths.
"Since then we have had more tragic outcomes,” said Tina Brunet with the health unit.
“As a task force (we decided) that we really need to hammer into people’s minds that this is a crisis right now."
According to health officials in the area, the street supply of opioids may be laced with sedatives. These laced drugs may be one of the reasons for the increase in calls and deaths.
“They can affect someone’s time (that they are) out and so they won’t rouse as quickly,” said Brunet.
“(It) increases their risk of death by having an opioid in their system as well as one of these sedatives.”
Officials said that more naloxone is needed to reverse an overdose when sedatives are also present in the patient.
“We want you to have enough naloxone on hand to be able to push it every two to three minutes if you’re in a situation where you can help someone,” said Brunet.
Brunet told CTV News that people need to be reminded that inhalation or smoking of the drugs is just as risky for overdose deaths.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Jean Carriere is Cochrane District’s Chief Paramedic and said his crews have responded to four suspected opioid-related deaths in the past couple of weeks.
Carriere said “never use alone.”
“It may not be the people who are using that are going to see this, but it’ll be their family, their loved ones, their friends who can absolutely point this out,” he said.
The Health Unit said in its releases, this is not just a Timmins issue, reports are coming from other communities in the area it serves and everyone needs to be prepared.
Paramedics also told CTV News that there is a misconception that only people who are homeless are overdosing.
Carriere said paramedics are responding to calls from people throughout the city – even from people who live with their families.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police investigation underway outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
There is a large police presence outside of Drake’ Bridle Path mansion Tuesday morning.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.