6 suspected overdose deaths in Waterloo region over past 12 days

There have been six deaths in Waterloo region in the past 12 days that are suspected to be from overdose or drug poisoning, the Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy reports.

The deaths happened between Jan.10 and Jan. 22. Four of the deaths happened in the last week.

The drug checking program at the consumption and treatment site in Kitchener has detected samples of fentanyl combined with other substances like para-fluorofentanyl, bromazolam, and xylazine over the last month, the strategy said in a community drug alert issued Monday.

"The unregulated drug supply is unpredictable and unexpected reactions may occur," the group said. "Multiple doses of naloxone may be required."

'We lost more people'

The strategy's website reports that there were 46 suspected overdose deaths reported in Waterloo region 2023, but that number was last updated on Oct. 10, 2023 and does not reflect the remainder of the year.

The Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy released preliminary data last week on the number of drug-related incidents in Wellington County during 2023.

They said the total number of incidents, where a serious-drug related reaction happened, was 435, which is a 16.3 per cent increase from 2022.

The number of deaths also went up to 27, compared to 22 the previous year. 

"Drug poisonings continue to impact our community. We lost more people and experienced more drug poisonings in 2023 than in 2022," the group said on X, formerly Twitter.

"Every person who uses substances is on their own path, has their own unique needs and requires access to a wide range of services to keep them safer."