Windsor-Essex officials issue opioid warning after 11 overdoses in a week

Health officials in Windsor-Essex have issued an alert about a recent spike in opioid overdoses the second alert this month.

The Windsor-Essex Community Opioid and Substance Strategy (WECOSS) says there were 11opioid overdoses recorded between Jan. 20and Jan. 26.

WECOSS says nineof the overdoses that week involved fentanyl.

Following that week from Jan. 28 to Jan. 29there were eightemergency department visits due to opioid overdoses, with an additional nine paramedic calls fora suspected opioid overdoseover the same time period.

WECOSS is encouraging those who use opioids to carry a naloxone kit and never usealone.

In total, 86 people died fromopioid overdoses in 2021, the most recent year data is available.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit plans to open a supervisedconsumption site for opioid users at 101 Wyandotte St. E., pending approval from the federal and provincial governments. Its location is back up for debate at Monday's city council meeting.