Home / Health / Ontario Opioid Deaths Plummet 50% Since 2021
Ontario Opioid Deaths Plummet 50% Since 2021
15 May
Summary
- Opioid-related deaths in Ontario decreased by 54% since 2021.
- Northern Ontario continues to report the highest death rates.
- Deadly veterinary tranquilizers are appearing in street drugs.
Opioid-related death rates in Ontario have decreased by 54% since 2021, with provincial figures showing a 44% increase compared to 2016 levels. However, northern Ontario consistently experiences the highest death rates province-wide. Thunder Bay reported an opioid-related death rate of 52.72 per 100,000 population, significantly exceeding the provincial average.
This progress occurs alongside drug alerts concerning highly toxic substances found in street supplies, including veterinary tranquilizers like medetomidine and xylazine, not approved for human consumption. These substances, such as 'dizzy' suspected to contain carfentanil, are exponentially more potent than fentanyl, increasing overdose risks.
The closure of supervised consumption sites in Ontario is a point of concern for experts like Dr. David Marsh, who argues they reduce overdose deaths and encourage treatment entry. He stresses the importance of destigmatizing drug use to improve access to care, emphasizing that individuals with addiction deserve respect and ongoing treatment, similar to those with other chronic illnesses.
