Officials say they are seeing an increase in opioid-related overdoses and deaths in Perth County.
In the wake of the trend, the Perth Opioid Strategy group says they are sending out a word of caution about local illicit drugs, including heroin and meth, being cut with fentanyl.
Medical Officer of Health for Perth County, Dr. Miriam Klassen, says “you can’t see it, smell it or taste it” and “it is extremely toxic and a very small amount can cause an overdose.”
The strategy group is facilitated by the Perth District Health Unit.
The PDHU has been coordinating local opioid data collection on a weekly basis since November 2017 and they receive reports of opioid activity from sources including first responders, hospitals, methadone clinics and school boards.
Police and paramedic services are reporting an increase in calls related to overdoses this year, including four overdose deaths.
