The public health unit in Chatham-Kent is again warning about another veterinary tranquilizer in the local illegal drug supply.
Chatham-Kent (CK) Public Health said Medetomidine in the local illegal drug supply has been a "noted concern" among partners and peers.
Medetomidine, an extremely potent sedative and analgesic for small animals, such as cats and dogs, and horses, has recently emerged as a significant adulterant in the unregulated illicit drug supply.
It is significantly stronger than Xylazine, another common veterinary adulterant, with some estimates placing it at 100–300 times more potent, according to some medical journals.
In October, CK Public Health warned Xylazine was responsible for an increase in drug overdoses in Chatham-Kent over a couple of weeks.
Medetomidine is often found as a powder or "pebbles" in various colours, including blue, grey, orange, and purple, and is almost always mixed with fentanyl.
Side effects of Medetomidine include slow heart rate, narrowing of blood vessels in the skin and extremities, and potential respiratory issues.
Health officials noted Medetomidine increases vascular resistance, raises blood pressure, and reduces, or in severe cases, blocks blood flow.
Meanwhile, the opioid surveillance report for January has been made public, and CK Public Health reported that EMS calls for suspected opioid poisoning (overdoses) have increased over the last week.
The unregulated drug supply is unpredictable, remind public health officials.
Officials reported 15 suspect opioid poisoning calls to CK EMS last month and a total of 164 in 2025 compared to 185 in 2024.
There were seven non-opioid drug overdose calls to CK EMS in December and a total of 114 all of last year, much higher than the 80 reported in 2024.
The report also showed 13 opioid overdose visits to the Emergency Department (ED) last month for a total of 109 in 2025, almost double (97.3 per 100,000) the provincial rate of 54.1 per 100,000 population.
Also reported were 11 suspected deaths related to all drugs in October, November, and December, totalling 23 in all of 2025, also a higher rate than the Ontario rate.
The public health unit also noted two confirmed or probable opioid overdose deaths in Chatham-Kent from July to September, and a total of six such deaths in 2025, slightly lower than the provincial rate.
"Since last month's report, the average number of opioid poisoning [overdose] EMS calls, ED visits, and suspect drug deaths have remained elevated," said CK Public Health. To date in 2025, CK has experienced similar rates of suspect drug and opioid deaths and a higher rate of opioid ED visits compared to Ontario."
According to the January surveillance report, the number of opioid-related deaths in the first six months of 2025 across Chatham-Kent and Ontario overall continues to show a decreasing trend from the year prior.
Public health noted that men and age groups 30-59 are most impacted, and half of all opioid toxicity deaths occur among people living in areas experiencing the highest level of material resource deprivation [poverty].
