Home / Health / Manitoba Youth Overdose Crisis: Paramedic Calls Double
Manitoba Youth Overdose Crisis: Paramedic Calls Double
4 Aug
Summary
- Paramedic drug responses for Winnipeg youth nearly doubled in a decade.
- Opioid-related calls for youth increased drastically from 5 to 53.
- Advocates and officials express grave concern over government inaction.
Drug-related paramedic responses for youth in Winnipeg have nearly doubled in a decade, according to data from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. Between 2016 and 2025, calls involving substances and individuals aged 12 to 17 increased from approximately 24 to over 45 per month.
Opioid-related calls involving youth saw a particularly alarming rise, escalating from five incidents in 2016 to 53 in 2025. This trend is corroborated by outreach workers who report administering naloxone to minors daily. Experts and the advocate for children and youth criticize the provincial government for falling short in providing adequate mental health services and long-term substance use support for young people.
The government points to initiatives like the 72-hour detox centre and the upcoming supervised consumption site, though these are for adults. They also highlight the Huddle locations, which provide mental health and wellness support. However, critics argue these measures are insufficient and that a dedicated youth-focused strategy is urgently needed to address prevention and treatment.
Recent data from the chief medical examiner's office indicates that 17 out of 22 suspected drug-related deaths among 12 to 17-year-olds in Manitoba occurred in the last four years. This underscores the critical need for more comprehensive and accessible resources for youth struggling with substance use and mental health challenges.
