A fourth person has died of an overdose in Timmins, according to Mayor George Pirie.
Over the weekend, the Timmins Police Service reported three overdose deaths within 24 hours. In total during that time, eight people required first aid from officers at the scene of calls, with paramedics reviving five people.
In Pirie's COVID-19 update at tonight's council meeting, he said there was a fourth overdose death yesterday.
“This is a direct result of the borders being closed. The health unit has been talking about this for quite some time. The fact that obviously the supply is drying up. What’s out there is being mixed with lethal doses of toxic chemicals,” he said.
The Porcupine Health Unit issued an alert about the increased rate of suspected opioid overdoses in the Cochrane District at the end of April, and again June 26.
After the overdoses on the weekend, the Timmins Police also issued a safety advisory. It urged people to be mindful that "certain substances currently circulating within the drug sub-culture in Timmins can be fatal if consumed."
Pirie noted Timmins isn't the only community dealing with this.
He expects to receive phone calls from Mushkegowuk Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon and Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler about the situation. He said they will be approaching the federal government for help to access the money to deal with the crisis.
“These are all tragic, possibly preventable, deaths that were occurring in the City of Timmins. We expect these issues to continue, it’s not a pleasant thing to talk about but it’s a direct result of COVID-19,” said Pirie.
If you suspect an overdose, the PHU advisory says to call 911 immediately and administer naloxone, if available.
Recommendations to reduce risk, according to the health unit, are to not use alone, avoid mixing substances, test a small amount first, and carry naloxone, which can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose.
Free naloxone kits are available at the Porcupine Health Unit offices, and many pharmacies. A list of where to get one is available here.
