Brantford, Ont. – Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) issuing a community drug alert following an increase in drug-related incidents and emergency department visits across the region.
Since Aug. 22, 2026, the GEPH region has experienced an increase in drug-related incidents, as reported through hospital and police data. These impacts have been reported in both Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk, including 22 drug-related emergency department visits between Aug. 22 and 26. Additionally, between Aug. 1 and 25, six suspected drug-related deaths were reported across the region.
Many of the recent incidents and emergency department visits involved opioids or medetomidine. The unregulated drug supply can contain unexpected substances, including non-opioid drugs and drugs of unknown potency. Evidence from across Ontario suggests that contamination of the drug supply continues to contribute to high rates of overdose.
GEPH urges people to use caution when taking any drug that has not been prescribed to them. Those who are new to drug use may be at greater risk because unregulated drugs can have unpredictable potency and contain dangerous contaminants. Test strips available through GEPH and community partners across the region can help identify contaminants such as fentanyl and medetomidine in unregulated drugs.
If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately and give naloxone if available, even if the person did not intend to use opioids. Naloxone temporarily reverses overdoses caused by opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, methadone and morphine, as well as non-opioid drugs contaminated with opioids. It will not harm someone who has not used opioids. Naloxone can wear off before the person fully recovers, so always call 911 and remain with them until Emergency Medical Services arrives.
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 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 GEPH Website: Opioids & Naloxone Programs.
To see the latest opioid-related statistics, please visit the Opioid and Substance Use Surveillance Dashboard. Please note, GEPH is introducing an enhanced Opioid Substance Use dashboard on Monday, August 31, in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day. The new dashboard will be available at geph.ca/opioidsurveillance.
This alert is issued by Grand Erie Public Health.