There's been a steady increase in the number of overdose-related calls to Lambton EMS and hospital visits.
Lambton Public Health Family Health Supervisor Rhonda Galler said in December alone, paramedics attended 14 opioid overdose-related calls, up from five the month before and just one in January 2018.
"Last month, in particular, we did see an increase in the number of reported opioid-related overdoses in our community," said Galler. "Overall from September to December we did see an increase but December was particularly significant."
Galler said there were seven overdose-related emergency department visits in December, for a total of 93 in 2018.
She said fentanyl continues to be a growing problem among drug users, and they've issued alerts to the public about "blue fentanyl", which causes people to drop right after use.
"A lot of drugs are coming laced with fentanyl so someone who is using the drug may not even know," said Galler. "For a long while they were using purple fentanyl, several of our surrounding communities have issued alerts on what they're now calling blue fentanyl. Very, very potent drug that requires just a very small amount, so it may not even be visible. It can be deadly, and deadly very quickly."
Across Ontario, there were 569 overdose-related deaths in the first half of 2018, including six in Sarnia-Lambton.
Drug users are reminded the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects you from simple possession charges, in the event you have to report an overdose or call 911.
Galler said Naloxone kits are still available. From January to September last year, 1623 naloxone kits were distributed by Lambton Public Health and area pharmacies.
