A spike in suspected drug-related deaths locally has prompted an alert from Ontario's chief coroner's office.
The office said there was an elevated number of suspected drug-related deaths from June 27 to July 3, and based on preliminary information, the deaths were dispersed over the week and all incidents occurred within Sarnia.
Lisa Ash, a Hepatitis C Outreach Team Supervisor and Primary Care Team Lead at the North Lambton Community Health Centre (NLCHC), said the advisory was rare to receive.
"There were four deaths in our geographic area for Lambton County within that week," said Ash. "So, I think they have certain key indicators that flag them to put out an alert. Sometimes it will be a batch of purple fentanyl that's really bad right now, or things like that. This wasn't that specifically, but we don't always hear about the deaths either if they're not service users that are connected with our team."
Ash said the health centre shared the advisory publicly because the deaths amounted to four times the region's weekly average in 2021.
"It's just our due-diligence to make sure we put it out there so that users know that there might be a bad batch of something and to just reinforce what we tell them all the time," Ash said. "Don't use (drugs) alone. Here's the National Overdose Response Service (line) which is 24/7 that you can call (1-888-688-6677). If you're alone, you can use (drugs) and they will stay on the line with you and if they don't get a response from you they activate EMS."
The mobile outreach team from the North Lambton Community Health Centre on location. Submitted photo.
The health centre provides mobile outreach services across Lambton County.
"I have a nurse and a nurse practitioner that go to the Inn of the Good Shepherd Lodge and provide primary care and hepatitis C services there. We have (spent) significant time out at our Kettle and Stony Point offices, we have a drop in where people can come in and get information on naloxone, naloxone training, hepatitis C testing and care, and harm reduction supplies."
Ash said the team also visits River City, Contact House, the Mobile Market and staff work at Sarnia Jail.
"And then we do some street outreach where the girls just put their backpacks on, when they have the chance, and walk around and meet people where they're at and see if we can be of any assistance."
Ash said they spend a lot of time connecting people with primary care.
"A lot of folks have wounds or illnesses and they don't have primary care. So, we will try to connect them to our services here in Sarnia if we have the capacity to do that."
Other tips for preventing opioid poisoning include; starting with a lower dose when switching substances or if you have not used in a while, avoid the mixing of drugs including those that were prescribed, over the counter and illegal, carrying a naloxone kit and calling 911 if you suspect an overdose.
To receive a naloxone kit, or naloxone training, residents are invited to call or text 226-932-0473.