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The Opioid Crisis in Ontario is Worse Than You Think

Wednesday, 5 June 2019 13:50

The OPP has identified a 35 per cent increase in overdose deaths during the first quarter of 2019, compared to the first quarter of 2018.

The OPP have released a new report on the opioid epidemic in our Province. 

You can read the Opioids and Overdoses: Impact and Strategies report from the Opioids Working group online here. It highlights the alarming increase in overdoses and deaths across Ontario. The report contains information relating to OPP opioid seizures, overdoses and relevant strategies.

Out of concern for the safety of all Ontarians, the OPP is sharing the data to help prevent the loss of more lives.

Key information:

- OPP has identified a 35 per cent increase in overdose deaths during the first quarter of 2019, compared to the first quarter of 2018

- Since September 2017, the OPP has administered naloxone on 79 occasions and saved 73 lives

- OPP has administered the highest number of naloxone doses in March and April 2019

- The spirit of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act (GSA) is embedded in all aspects of OPP involvement with the public

OPP Superintendent Bryan MacKillop says the OPP are taking the opioids crisis very seriously. 

"Every life matters; meaning every overdose occurrence will be thoroughly investigated. We owe it to each victim to thoroughly investigate every occurrence so we can target those who produce, import and traffic these harmful and deadly substances."

The focus of the OPP Opioids Working Group during the past year has been to establish foundational elements to respond to the opioid crisis and understand the impacts of overdoses and opioids. New reporting and analytical tools have been made available to position the OPP to be more proactive in our approach to the opioid crisis.
 

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