Opioid overdose warning issued for Waterloo region after 6 deaths, multiple severe overdose | The Canadian News

After six suspected opioid-related overdose deaths in the area between January 17 and January 23, the Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy (WRIDS) issued an overdose warning.

The agency says there were also some “severe overdoses” over the weekend, with some requiring multiple doses of naloxone to treat.

WRIDS says there was no specific color of substance circulating in the region associated with the overdose.

It says there may be opioids circulating that are stronger than expected or contain substances that can lead to unexpected reactions.

“Dangerous drugs continue to circulate locally causing an increased risk of overdose,” the statement said. “Please be careful and stay safe.”

Last year was the second deadliest in the history of the Waterloo region associated with opioid use, as 99 people were thought to have suffered opioid-related deaths.