Health unit issues alert after eight weekend drug poisonings

There were eight ambulance calls or emergency room visits for drug poisonings on Sunday in the Peterborough area, prompting Peterborough Public Health (PPH) to issue an alert.

PPH cautions that an unknown substance is causing the harm.

As of Monday, the data for drug-related deaths in the Peterborough area hadn’t yet been posted on the Peterborough Public Health website for February.

But in January, there were six deaths suspected to have been from drug poisonings in the city and in Peterborough County, as well as in Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations (the PPH jurisdiction).

In January, there were 19 drug-poisoning ambulance calls in the Peterborough area, according to the PPH website, and 31 drug-poisoning emergency room visits.

In 2023, there were 78 deaths suspected to have been from drug poisonings (up from 59, in 2022) in the Peterborough area.

PPH states there are places to go for help locally to check what substances are contained in street drugs.

Peterborough’s Consumption and Treatment site (220 Simcoe St.) is offering that service Monday (9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Tuesday (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

The consumption and treatment site also has strips to check for fentanyl, benzos and xylazine, and offers the strips during regular hours of operation (9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily).

Harm reduction support

■ Support is available at Peterborough’s Consumption and Treatment site, located at 220 Simcoe St., open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

■ National Overdose Response Service Line: 1-888-688-6677.

■ Krasman Centre: (peer crisis support services, based in Richmond Hill) 1-888-777-0979.

Crisis support

■ 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: (call or text 9-8-8, any time of day or night)

■ Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough: 705-745-2273 (also open 24/7).