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NW Ontario Hit by Surge of Over 60 Drug Poisonings
16 Sep
Summary
- Over 60 drug poisonings in Kenora in two days linked to a drug alert.
- Potent synthetic opioids like clodesnitazene and etonitazene detected.
- Naloxone is available but less effective against mixed-substance overdoses.
Four drug alerts have been issued in northwestern Ontario in less than a week, with one alert tied to a significant spike of over 60 drug poisonings in the Kenora area over two days. The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) has warned about substances suspected to be fentanyl sold as down, and a particularly concerning substance called clodesnitazene detected in mid-May.
Additional alerts concern an unknown substance sold as cocaine and hydromorphone in the Red Lake area, and an OxyContin pill testing positive for etonitazene in Thunder Bay. This potent opioid is approximately 50 times stronger than fentanyl. The Thunder Bay district faces the highest opioid-related death rate in Ontario, exceeding the provincial average by over five times in 2025.
Health authorities emphasize the importance of testing substances and carrying naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. However, naloxone is ineffective against non-opioids, posing a challenge with street drugs often containing multiple substances. Free drug test strips and naloxone kits are available through the health unit and local pharmacies. Resources like the LifeguardConnect app and the National Overdose Response Service offer additional support for individuals using drugs alone.
