Windsor-Essex's emergency departments continue to deal with an increased number of patients affected by opioid use.
The Windsor-Essex Community Opioid and Substance Strategy (WECOSS) reported Monday afternoon that there were 11 opioid-related visits to the emergency room between February 24 and March 2.
Eight of those ED visits involved fentanyl.
There were 20 calls for paramedic assistance during that time, which prompted WECOSS to issue the alert.
WECOSS has also sounded the alarm on xylazine and benzodiazepines, which are appearing increasingly in Ontario's unregulated drug supply. The Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Chief Coroner for Ontario called attention to the presence of these substances last week.
"The use of xylazine and benzodiazepines alone is associated with increased risks of toxicity, which is further increased with the use of other depressants such as opioids and-or alcohol," read the WECOSS alert. "Although symptoms and signs are like those associated with opioids, xylazine and benzodiazepines do not respond to naloxone administration. Naloxone remains effective against acute toxicity from opioids, and it can be safely administered to people who have taken both opioid and non-opioid drugs, including xylazine and benzodiazepines."
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is a lead agency for WECOSS, which also includes Windsor police, LaSalle police, Ontario Provincial Police, Windsor Regional Hospital, Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Erie Shores Healthcare, Essex-Windsor EMS, and others.
