In the past week, there have been two reported cases of women overdosing on what is believed to be a street drug “down” and needing CPR.
On January 9 and January 15, 2023, the Winnipeg Police Service responded to two incidents reporting unconscious and unresponsive persons at Winnipeg Transit bus shelters.
On January 9, around 04:30, Eastern District Major Patrol officers responded to the bus shelter at Goulet Street and Tache Avenue where they found a 37-year-old woman unresponsive and through their evaluation determined the event to be a possible opioid overdose. Officers administered emergency medical care, administering CPR and two doses of Narcan nasal spray (Naloxone). The woman regained consciousness before the ambulance arrived and was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
On January 15, 2023, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Eastern District Major Patrol officers went to a bus shelter near St. Mary’s Road and Fermore Avenue where a Good Samaritan was performing CPR on an unresponsive adult female. Officers proceeded with emergency medical care, continuing to perform CPR and treating the case as a possible opioid overdose. Officers administered three doses of Narcan Spray (Naloxone) before members of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service arrived and continued CPR. The unknown woman regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital.
Both are believed to be linked to overdoses of the fentanyl-based street drug known as “down,” a common street drug that has been blamed for several overdoses and sudden deaths across the city. Both are expected to make a full recovery.
The Winnipeg Police Service encourages anyone who experiences or witnesses a drug overdose to call 911 immediately. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection to people who seek emergency help in the event of an overdose and to anyone on the scene when help arrives. For more information on the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, visit the Health Canada website at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/problematic-prescription-drug-use/opioids/. about-good-samaritan-drug-overdose-act.html
To reduce the risk of overdose, never use narcotics alone and always carry naloxone if opioids are available. For more information on where to find naloxone, visit the Street Connections website at http://streetconnections.ca/content.php?navigation_id=2294.
For addictions and treatment resources, please see the following links:
– Addictions Foundation of Manitoba: https://afm.mb.ca/
– Street Connections: http://www.streetconnections.ca/
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