Opioid Alert Issued for City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County, After Worrying
Rise in Opioid Overdoses

Health Unit urges caution when using drugs; asks people to intervene if they see an overdose.
LINDSAY, ON (August 15, 2022) – An opioid overdose alert is being issued for the City of Kawartha Lakes
and Northumberland County, in the wake of a disturbing rise in the number of overdoses being recorded
in recent days.
As a result, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) and
Kawartha Lakes Police Services are issuing an opioid alert to inform the community about the problem
and encourage safety and caution if people are using drugs. The alert also triggers community groups to
enhance their outreach with people who use drugs, while also increasing the distribution of naloxone
kits in the region.
“With the significant spike in overdoses in recent days, this alert is meant to inform the community to
take precautions,” says Kate Hall, a Health Promoter with the HKPR District Health Unit. “Contributing
factors for these local overdoses may include people using alone or a potentially contaminated or
poisoned drug supply that is leading to more severe overdose reactions.”
The HKPR District Health Unit encourages people to reduce the risk of overdoses by not using alone.
Consider using with a buddy or calling a friend. If you are alone, contact the National Overdose
Response Service (NORS) virtual safe consumption at 1-888-668-NORS (6677). NORS is an overdose
prevention hotline for Canadians providing loving, confidential, nonjudgmental support for you,
whenever and wherever you use drugs.
People who use drugs are being encouraged to do the following:
• Test a small amount of drug before you use.
• Call 9-1-1 in the event of an overdose.
• Avoid mixing your drugs.
• Keep a naloxone kit on hand. You can get a naloxone kit at most pharmacies and needle
exchange sites.
Naloxone is an emergency medicine that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose until the
victim can get to hospital for treatment. Naloxone is recommended to be used in all suspected drug
overdoses, due to the possibility of opioid contamination or poisoning. Local community partners are
enhancing their naloxone distribution efforts in the wake of the alert. Free kits are also available for
people who use opioids, as well as their family and friends, and can be picked up at Health Unit offices,
local pharmacies and other locations (www.ontario.ca/naloxone).
Hall also encourages anyone who sees someone overdosing to intervene, call 9-1-1, and give the person
naloxone if possible. Under the Good Samaritan Act, anyone trying to help in an emergency is protected
from possible legal repercussions. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act also protects people on the
scene of an overdose from being charged for possessing or using drugs.
“The ongoing opioid crisis continues to plague our communities, and we all have a role to play in saving
lives,” she notes. “Let’s remember that overdoses aren’t just statistics and numbers. Behind every
overdose and death is a real person.”
Signs of an overdose include: very large or very small pupils, slow or no breathing, cold and clammy skin,
blue or purple fingernails or lips, and snoring or gurgling sounds. Often in drug overdoses, it is also
difficult to wake up the person.
For local opioid overdose incidents, visit the Health Unit’s Opioid Overdose Report dashboard. People
can also use the online submission form to anonymously report overdoses and drug-related information
to assist in a quicker response to these incidents.

For media inquiries, contact:
Northumberland County: Kate Hall, Health Promoter, HKPR District Health Unit, 1-866-888-4577, ext.
3246.
City of Kawartha Lakes: Chief Mark Mitchell, Kawartha Lakes Police Services, 1-705-324-5252, ext. 508.
About the Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides important public health programs
and services to residents in Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Our dedicated team of public health professionals, led by our Medical Officer of Health, promote
healthy living, protect against disease, and prevent illness and injury. We work with health care
providers and community partners to address emerging health issues, service gaps and social inequities
to support residents in being well and reaching their full potential. Our values of trust, engagement,
accountability, and leadership guide what we do every day. Learn more at www.hkpr.on.ca.