Five suspected drug-related deaths in 10 days in Waterloo Region

A community drug alert has been issued for the Waterloo Region after five suspected drug-related deaths in just 10 days.

The Overdose Monitoring Alert and Response System (OMARS) said the deaths occurred between October 11 and 21.

Meanwhile, the Kitchener CTS Drug Checking Program has detected fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, oxazepam, flubromazolam aka “liquid Xanax,” fentanyl analogs, medetomidine/dexmedetomidine and bromazolam in samples submitted over the past week.

OMARS warns that respiratory illnesses and infections such as COVID-19, influenza and RSV can affect breathing and increase the risk of overdose.