Home / Health / Opioid Calls Surge in Ontario Cities
Opioid Calls Surge in Ontario Cities
5 Jul
Summary
- Paramedic calls for opioid poisonings rose significantly in four Ontario cities.
- New analysis shows alarming increases in overdose incidents across Ontario.
- Harm reduction advocates cite toxic drug supply and site closures as factors.
Paramedic calls for suspected opioid poisonings have significantly increased in four Ontario cities during the first five months of 2026 compared to the previous year. Thunder Bay experienced a 20 percent rise, while Hamilton saw an almost 200 percent surge. Toronto and Ottawa also reported substantial increases in overdose-related calls.
Experts suggest that a more toxic drug supply, including substances like medetomidine, coupled with the closure of supervised consumption sites in the past two years, may be contributing factors. The Ontario government has shifted focus to abstinence-based treatment hubs, replacing the province's 17 supervised consumption sites which were gradually defunded and closed.
Data indicates a sharp increase in emergency service responses and emergency department use for opioid overdoses following the closure of these sites. Advocates argue that supervised consumption sites save lives and connect individuals to healthcare in a non-judgmental manner, a crucial element missing in the new abstinence-focused model. The province, however, maintains its new approach is historic and aims to break addiction cycles.
