The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer has issued a public alert following a suspected overdose-related death in the NWT.
“NWT’s Coroner’s Office has informed the OCPHO (Office of the Chief Public Health Officer) that an investigation of the recent death leads them to suspect that it was due to a drug overdose, potentially from cocaine mixed with other substances,” said the Monday afternoon news release, which did not identify the community in question, nor the date of the individual’s death.
With ongoing detections of opioids and other toxic drugs in the territory, there is concern that the death may be due to toxic contaminants. The OCPHO warns all potential illegal drug users in every NWT community that they may be at risk of receiving tainted supplies.
In the meantime, the OCPHO advises people who use drugs to always use them with others present, start with small amounts, have naloxone kits with them, and ensure that everyone they are using with knows how to administer naloxone, which can reverse the effects of opioids and save lives. It is also advised to avoid using a mix of drugs or with alcohol since mixing substances greatly increases the risk of overdose.
The Department of Health listed signs and symptoms that might related to overdose, including breathing will be slow or absent; lips and nails are blue; the person is not moving; choking; gurgling sounds or snoring; severe sleepiness; the person can’t be woken up; or skin feels cold and clammy.
Residents are reminded that naloxone kits are available at all hospitals, health centres and pharmacies in the NWT. The advisory added that naloxone is only effective in the case of an opioid overdose. However, if the substance currently circulating is unknown.
“It’s best to err on the side of caution and administer it,” it read.
Naloxone is not known to cause any harm in the case of a non-opioid overdose. Some synthetic opioids, such as Carfentanil overdoses, may require repeated doses of naloxone.