Montreal public health warns of overdose spike as naloxone use reaches last year’s total

Montreal public health officials have issued an alert after a sharp increase in fatal and non-fatal overdoses , warning that an increasingly toxic drug supply is continuing to fuel the crisis.

The alert was prompted by officials after seeing a growing number of ambulance interventions requiring naloxone.

“We can link (carfentanil) to eight deaths so far … since the month of April,” said Dr. David Kaiser, assistant medical director with Montreal Public Health’s regional department in a news conference Thursday.

While the drugs are highly toxic, Kaiser said they still respond to naloxone, highlighting the importance of bystanders recognizing the signs of an overdose and acting quickly.

“We are all responsible for reducing the risk,” Kaiser said. “Also, calling 911 and staying with that person until emergency, paramedics or first responders arrive is the right thing to do.”