Public health officials in northwestern Ontario have issued several drug alerts after they say more than 60 drug poisonings were reported in the Kenora area over two days and a previously unseen substance was detected in the region’s unregulated drug supply.
The Northwestern Health Unit said the poisonings required multiple doses of naloxone, were not always reversible and required medical attention. The substance was suspected to be fentanyl, however, some samples tested positive for nitazene.
Health officials said the illicit substance is being sold as “down” and can be orange, purple, blue or white in colour.
New substance detected
The health unit said Friday that Health Canada confirmed a sample sent for testing in May from the region tested positive for clodesnitazene, a synthetic nitazene opioid with unknown strength and effects.
The sample also tested positive for ethylbromazolam (a benzodiazepine), carfentanil, medetomidine, caffeine and dimethylsulphone.
“Clodesnitazene is a ‘new’ nitazene opioid,” the health unit said, noting it was detected by Toronto’s Drug Checking Service in April, while the regional sample was from May 15, 2026.
“This result may imply we could be seeing substances found in larger centres, like Toronto, in our region, much quicker than previously thought,” said the public health authority in a news release.
The health unit said the mixture increases the risk of poisoning and death, and that medetomidine’s sedative effects persist after naloxone use and could require airway support.
Suspected deaths reported
The health unit said seventeen suspected drug-related deaths occurred in the region between May 1 and Aug. 25, 2026. Eight occurred in May.
OxyContin pill tests positive for etonitazene
NorWest Community Health Centres issued its own alert on Monday after an OxyContin pill tested positive for etonitazene, another high-potency synthetic nitazene opioid considered about 50 times stronger than fentanyl.
The health unit also issued another alert on Sept. 15 warning of increased poisoning risk in Red Lake related substances being sold as cocaine and hydromorphone.
‘What is happening in Kenora should concern every community’
Sudbury’s Go-Give Project said in a social media post Wednesday that the situation should concern everyone.
“What is happening in Kenora should concern every community in Ontario and our decision making governments must step up,” the post said.
The organization said frontline teams have responded to people who had stopped breathing and required CPR.
“This is why language matters,” the post said.
“These are drug poisonings. People often do not know what is in the substance they are consuming or how potent it may be.”
“An increasingly unpredictable and toxic unregulated drug supply is putting lives at risk.”
— Go-Give Project
“Most importantly, remember that behind every statistic is a person, a family, a frontline worker and a community trying desperately to keep people alive,” added Go-Give.
“We cannot help someone recover if they do not survive.”
What an overdose can look like
The health unit has provided some examples of what symptoms of drug overdose may look like:
- Slow, weak or no breathing
- Increased sedation, can’t be woken up
- Low heart rate or low blood pressure
- Blue, purple or grey lips or nails
- Difficulty staying awake, dizziness or confusion
- Pinpoint pupils
- Gurgling or choking
Stimulant or hallucinogen poisoning may involve large pupils, dizziness, muscle cramps, seizures, fast breathing, heavy sweating, chest pains, foaming at the mouth or catatonic syndrome.
Ways to stay safe
- Try not to use alone – buddy up and don’t use at the same time.
- Carry naloxone and know how to use it.
- If using alone, have a safety plan – get someone to check on you in person or by phone or call 1-888-688-6677 (NORS) before you use.
- Test drugs before use – testing kits are available for free at Northwestern Health Unit
“Start low and go slow,” added the health unit.
Health professionals asked the public to call 911 immediately if someone has symptoms of an overdose and stay until help arrives.
“The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection to the person calling,” said the health unit.
Naloxone and drug test strips are available at the Northwestern Health Unit, Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig and local pharmacies.
