Welcome to the new OMARS Community Drug Alert page.
The OMARS (Overdose Monitoring, Alert and Response System) Committee monitors data and information about overdoses in Waterloo Region.
On this page:
Active community drug alert
Community Drug Alert Extension: Three suspected drug-related deaths
Issued on November 25, 2025, expires on December 9, 2025.
The Overdose Monitoring Alert and Response System (OMARS) is issuing a Community Drug Alert for Waterloo Region.
There were 3 suspected drug-related deaths from November 17 to November 21.
The Sanguen Drug Checking Program found fentanyl samples that:
- Are stronger than expected
- Contain fentanyl analogues including para-fluorofentanyl
- Continue to contain medetomidine/dexmedetomidine
- Drug Checking noted bluish-green, orange and yellow as colours of concern. Be cautious using bluish-green, orange or yellow drugs.
This is an extension of the alert issued November 13, 2025 that included 3 suspected drug-related deaths from November 10 to November 12.
Naloxone does not reverse the effects of non-opioid substances such as medetomidine/dexmedetomidine. Naloxone should still be given in suspected overdoses.
Some people are very drowsy (sedated) right after using. Stay with anyone nodding off.
For more safety information while using drugs, see our harm reduction page.
Download a printable version of the alert
Drugs found through Sanguen Health Centre’s Drug Checking Program
While a connection between the drugs found through drug checking and the suspected drug overdose/poisonings is not known, the details on these drugs are included for your information.
Fentanyl Analogues
- New high-potency fentanyl analogues continue to be found in the unregulated drug supply. These unexpected drugs increase the risk of an overdose/drug poisoning.
- Overdoses may require more naloxone than expected.
Para-fluorofentanyl
- A very strong fentanyl-related drug that is stronger than fentanyl.
- Using strong opioids increases the risk of an overdose/drug poisoning. More naloxone may be needed to wake up individuals.
Medetomidine/dexmedetomidine
- Anesthetic drugs stronger than xylazine and was found in fentanyl samples.
- These drugs last longer and the person may not wake up for a long time.
- When using with opioids, vital signs like breathing, blood pressure and heart rate can slow down. This can cause extreme drowsiness and sedation.
- Naloxone cannot reverse the sedative effects of these non-opioid substances. Continue to give naloxone in suspected overdoses. When possible, give oxygen as well.
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About community drug alerts
OMARS issues community drug alerts to warn people who use drugs and service providers when there is a higher risk of overdose in Waterloo Region because of,
- A sudden spike in 911 calls for overdoses in a short time
- A sudden spike in suspected drug-related deaths in a short time
- Unexpected drugs found in the local unregulated supply
- Unexpected reactions to drugs in the local unregulated supply
The unregulated drug supply is highly toxic. Anyone who uses these drugs is at risk of harms including overdose and death. For more safety information while using drugs, see our harm reduction page.
If you have had an unexpected reaction to street drugs, or an overdose, OMARS encourages you to talk with a harm reduction worker.
Resources
Free naloxone kits and harm reduction supplies are available throughout Waterloo Region. For details see our harm reduction page.
Toronto’s Drug Checking Service drug dictionary has information about drugs found in the unregulated drug supply.
The Opioid Overdose/Drug Poisoning Dashboard shows data on overdoses and deaths in Waterloo Region.
Test your drugs with the Sanguen Health Centre Drug Checking Program to know what is in your drugs.
For more information, email harmreduction@regionofwaterloo.ca
Past alerts
| 2025 |
- November 13, 2025: Alert was issued because there were 3 suspected drug-related deaths from November 10 to November 12. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found fentanyl samples are stronger than expected, have fentanyl analogues including para-fluorofentanyl and continue to have Medetomidine/dexmedetomidine in them.
- October 22, 2025: Alert was issued because there were 3 suspected drug-related deaths since October 16. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program detected Medetomidine/dexmedetomidine. There were reports of confusion, disorientation, and memory gaps.
- May 20, 2025: Alert extension was issued because there were 3 suspected drug-related deaths from May 14 to May 16. Concerns were raised about potential unpredictability in the cocaine supply.
- May 5, 2025: Alert was issued because there were 5 suspected drug-related deaths between May 1 and May 3.
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| 2024 |
- November 15, 2024: Alert extension was issued because there were 3 suspected overdose/drug poisoning related deaths from November 11 to November 14, 2024. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program detected Medetomidine/dexmedetomidine, fentanyl Analogues, Xylazine, and Oxazepam. Concerns were raised by community members about the unpredictability of the meth supply which may cause unexpected reactions.
- November 6, 2024: Alert was issued because there were 35 reported overdoses from October 31 to November 5. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program detected Medetomidine/dexmedetomidine, fentanyl Analogues, Xylazine, and Oxazepam. Concerns were raised by community members about the unpredictability of the meth supply, which may cause unexpected reactions.
- October 22, 2024: Alert was issued because there were 5 suspected drug-related deaths from October 11 to October 21. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found high potency fentanyl, Para-fluorofentanyl, Oxazepam, Flubromazolam AKA “Liquid Xanax”, fentanyl Analogues, Medetomidine/dexmedetomidine, Bromazolam in samples.
- October 1, 2024: Alert extension was issued because there were 3 suspected drug-related deaths from September 29 to September 30. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found high potency fentanyl, Oxazepam, Dexmedetomidine, and Paraflurofentanyl in samples.
- September 24, 2024: Alert was issued because there were 3 suspected drug-related deaths and 41 reported overdoses from September 17 to September 30. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found high potency fentanyl with Oxazepam. Dexmedetomidine, fentanyl, Paraflurofentanyl, and Bromazolam were also found in samples.
- September 3, 2024: Alert was issued because there were 2 suspected drug-related deaths and 43 reported overdoses from August 28 to September 2. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found nitazenes in fentanyl samples. Flubromazolam AKA “Liquid Xanax,” Bromazolam, and paraflurofentanyl were also found.
- July 5, 2024: Alert was issued because there were 4 suspected drug-related deaths and 41 reported overdoses from June 28 to July 4. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found Flubromazolam AKA “Liquid Xanax”, Xylazine, fentanyl Analogues, Medetomidine/dexmedetomidine, Bromazolam.
- June 18, 2024: Alert was issued because there were 5 suspected drug-related deaths from June 12 to June 17.
- June 3, 2024: Alert extension was issued because there were 4 suspected drug-related deaths and 50 reported overdoses from May 23 to June 2. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found fentanyl analogues, Benzodiazepines (including Bromazolam and Xanax), and Xylazine in fentanyl samples.
- May 28, 2024: Alert was issued because there were 2 suspected drug-related deaths and 35 reported overdoses from May 23 to May 26. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found Fentanyl analogues, Benzodiazepines (including Bromazolam and Xanax), and Xylazine in fentanyl samples.
- May 15, 2024: Alert was issued because there were 3 suspected drug-related deaths from May 11 to May 13. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found fentanyl analogues, Bromazolam, Xylazine, Medetomidine/ Dexmedetomidine and Parafluorofentanyl in fentanyl samples.
- April 5, 2024: Alert extension was issued because there were 5 suspected drug-related deaths from March 28 to April 5. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found fentanyl analogues, Bromazolam, Xylazine, Medetomidine/ Dexmedetomidine and parafluorofentanyl in fentanyl samples.
- March 27, 2024: Alert was issued because there were 3 suspected drug-related deaths from March 19 to March 26. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program found new fentanyl analogues, Bromazolam, Xylazine, and Medetomidine/Dexmedetomidine in fentanyl samples.
- January 22, 2024: Alert was issued because there were 6 suspected drug-related deaths from January 10 to January 22. Sanguen’s Drug Checking Program detected Para-fluorofentanyl, Bromazolam, and Xylazine in fentanyl samples.
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