WECOSS says 31 opioid overdoses were seen in Windsor-Essex emergency departments Oct
Overdose alert extended: WECOSS says 31 opioid overdoses were seen in Windsor-Essex emergency departments Oct. 4 to 10, 17 involving fentanyl, after 30 the week before. Don't use alone, have naloxone ready. Overdose? Call 911.
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The Windsor-Essex Community Opioid and Substance Strategy (WECOSS) has extended the opioid overdose alert it issued last week. The Opioid and Substance Use Notification System identified another elevated week: 31 opioid overdoses reported in emergency department visits between Oct. 4 and Oct. 10, 2026, with 17 involving fentanyl.
That follows 30 overdoses, 17 involving fentanyl, between Sept. 27 and Oct. 3, the week that triggered the original alert on Oct. 5. Together that is 61 reported overdoses in emergency departments over two weeks.
WECOSS partners, including the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Windsor Regional Hospital, Essex-Windsor EMS, Erie Shores HealthCare, the Office of the Chief Coroner and police services, continue to monitor the increase and are working to understand more about the cases. WECOSS asks anyone aware of links between the cases, or other causes for the increase, to contact the health unit, and asks people to share the alert.
Safety tips
WECOSS advises people who use substances never to use alone, to check substances with drug test strips if available, to try a very small amount first, not to use at the exact same time as a friend, and to avoid mixing substances. Have naloxone ready and call 911 right away if something does not feel right. The National Overdose Response Service runs a confidential 24/7 line at 1-888-688-6677.
Signs of an overdose
Signs include not responding or not waking up, slow or absent breathing, snoring or gurgling sounds, blue lips or fingernails, cold and clammy skin, and very small pupils. Shout and shake the person's shoulders, call 911 if they do not respond, give naloxone if an opioid overdose is suspected, and give rescue breaths or chest compressions. If there is no improvement after two to three minutes, repeat the naloxone and breathing or compressions. Stay with the person. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection for people who experience or witness an overdose and call for help.
Naloxone kits are free at participating pharmacies, with no prescription or Ontario health card needed, according to the Province of Ontario.
