May 1, 2026
Grand Erie Public Health reports continued increase in suspected drug-related incidents in region
Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) is alerting residents and community partners to an ongoing high number of suspected drug-related incidents in the Brantford-Brant region over the last two weeks. From April 20-29, 2026, there were thre drug-related deaths reported in the Brantford-Brant region, based on data from the Office of the Chief Coroner. During the same period, 21 drug-related incidents occurred in the Brantford area, as reported by the Brantford Police. This is a higher number of drug-related incidents than is typical for this timeframe.
Most of these incidents involved individuals using opioids. The unregulated opioid supply is highly contaminated, often with non-opioid drugs, and the best available evidence suggests this contamination is contributing to the high rates of overdose. Please use caution when using any drug that is not prescribed to you. If you are new to drug use, you are particularly at risk. Unregulated drugs may have unpredictable potency or contain unexpected and dangerous contaminants.
If you think someone is experiencing a drug overdose, call 911 immediately. If available, give the person naloxone, even if they weren’t intending to use opioids. If a person was not using opioids, naloxone will have no effect, so there is no risk of harm. Naloxone is an emergency medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose from opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, methadone, and morphine, as well as those caused by non-opioid drugs contaminated with opioids.
Remember, naloxone can temporarily reverse an overdose, but it can wear off before the person has completely recovered. Always call 911 and be treated by Emergency Medical Services.
If you yourself have taken drugs or have drugs on you, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can protect you. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides immunity from simple possession charges for those who call 911 in the case of an overdose. This Act is in place to encourage and protect people who are witnessing or experiencing an overdose so they can seek help and save lives.
Reduce your risk of an overdose:
- Try not to use alone. If you must use alone, get someone to check on you either by phone or in person, or call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-NORS (6677). NORS will stay on the phone with you while you use drugs and call for help if needed.
- Go slow if you are using a new substance or have purchased your usual substances from a new supplier. Take a small test dose first to see how it is going to affect you.
- Purchase from a trusted supplier if possible. Be especially careful if you have recently switched suppliers.
- Carry naloxone, even if you do not expect to be using opioids. Remember that your drug may be contaminated with fentanyl or other high-potency opioids even if you are not expecting an opioid.
- Test drugs intended for use. Using test strips can help to reduce the risk of overdose. Test strips that can detect fentanyl, xylazine or medetomidine are available at the following locations:
- SOAR Community Services at 133 Elgin St. or 1-225 Fairview Dr. in Brantford
- The DROP at 185 Robinson St. in Simcoe (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-3pm)
- The Positive Health Network Van. To access the van, call or text (289) 440-4912 for Brantford-Brant, or (289) 440-4903 for Haldimand, Norfolk, and Six Nations.
For more information about opioids, including what to do if someone has an overdose and where to access harm reduction services, please visit the Legacy Brant County Health Unit Website and the Legacy Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit Website.
To see the latest opioid-related statistics, please visit the Brant/Brantford Opioid Information System webpage.