Timmins, Ontario — The Porcupine Health Unit along with community partners on the Opioid Emergency Response Task Force are mobilizing a Red Alert due to concerning increases in suspected opioid-related toxicity events, affecting multiple communities in the Porcupine Health Unit’s geographical area.

Dr. Lianne Catton, Medical Officer of Health for the Porcupine Health Unit shares “In response to the opioid toxicity events across the Porcupine Health Unit region, the Task Force is sharing a red alert.” This heightened alert calls attention to the ongoing severity of the opioid crisis. Opioid poisonings can occur anywhere, anytime, and to anyone, even if you don’t use opioids frequently.

The health unit urges anyone who uses substances to carry Naloxone, the life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid poisoning. Naloxone is easy to use and available at most pharmacies and all health unit offices across the region.