Timmins health officials say tainted drug supply is resulting in more overdose calls
The Opioid Emergency Response Task Force in Timmins wants the public to be aware of the potentially fatal illicit drug supply in the city.
“For the past week, there was a high volume of calls," said Patrick Nowak, a public health nurse with the Porcupine Health Unit. "The majority … occurred Sunday to this week, so the task force met and felt it was prudent or issue a drug alert."
Nowak said there've been 10 opioid overdose calls since last Wednesday -- and seven of those have been since Sunday. He said one person has died and so far, there have been more opioid overdose fatalities in the Timmins area this year compared to the same time period last year.
“We’ve had one fatality every week since November of 2020," said Jean Carriere, chief paramedic for Cochrane Emergency Medical Services. "That’s alarming. It’s a large amount of people who are overdosing and passing away from these poisonings."
Carriere and Nowak said the current local supply of illicit drugs is tainted.
"The drugs that are being utilized … have other mixtures in there that are causing people to overdose and pass away," said Carriere.
“We’ve seen not just in Timmins, in the Porcupine Health Unit Area, but across the province (that) there are other substances that are traditionally not opioid related that … have required Naloxone to reverse any potential side-effects," Nowak said.
"This includes things like meth, speed and or other stimulants that traditionally doesn’t contain opioids."
They said people who take drugs should not use alone and should carry multiple doses of Naloxone with them at all times, regardless of the substance they're consuming.
Carriere said it's time for a safe consumption site to be established in Timmins.
“We need a healthcare agency to step up, to take responsibility for the consumption site, and for it to be funded through the Ministry of Health or the LHIN or Ontario Health or the agencies that are responsible for that," he said.
Nowak also suggested calling the National Overdose Response Service phone number at 1-888-688-NORS (6677). He said someone will remain on the line with a person who's using drugs alone and will call for help if necessary.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.