Overdoses continue to be an issue in Halton.
Constable with the Halton Police, Ryan Anderson, says November was a bad month.
He adds that there were 30 overdoses in the region in November – one for each day in the month. Eight of those cases resulted in death, something that Anderson says is made more tragic by the fact that, due to the pandemic, those people died alone.
Anderson says the goal is to educate the public surrounding the dangers around problematic substance abuse. The Halton Police is working to facilitate access to support services for those who suffer from a substance use disorder. Enforcement will continue, but it’s ultimately down to just being safe.
Know the signs of an overdose and do not run – call 9-1-1. Halton Police officers are trained to save lives and always carry naloxone with them in the event of an overdose. Anderson wants residents to know that the Good Samaritan Act protects you from the law during the overdose. He doesn’t want people to be afraid to call 9-1-1 because of a possible possession charge.
Additional information on overdoses in Halton can be found here.
