The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) sent out an alert Monday afternoon about the marked increase in opioid and substance use-related hospital visits and 9-1-1 calls in a one-week period.
Between July 28 and August 3 the health unit flagged 11 opioid overdoses, eight of which involved fentanyl. During the same period, the Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) reported seven opioid non-overdoses, which all involved fentanyl.
Alongside the hospital visits, seven consecutive days of substance use-related emergency calls were identified, with a total of 18 calls received.
The increase in opioid-related emergencies has prompted a reminder from WECHU about how important it is to have a naloxone kit.
Naloxone or Narcan can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids and are available without a prescription or health card and at no cost. Anytime a kit is used 9-1-1 should be notified.
Recently, the health unit distributed over 500 naloxone kits to Windsor-Essex churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples in an effort to battle the ongoing opioid crisis.
A list of participating community organizations that provide naloxone kits onsite and the steps to take in the event of an overdose are available here.