NORTHERN ONTARIO—As the shadows lengthen across Northern Ontario, a growing concern grips the region: the alarming rise in overdose deaths linked to the dangerous combination of opioids and stimulants. A recent report sheds light on a grim reality, revealing that the complexity of substance use in our communities has reached unprecedented levels, drawing attention to the urgent need for action and support.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape of drug-related fatalities has evolved dramatically. Research from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network and Public Health Ontario indicates that the number of overdose deaths involving multiple substances has surged. From 2018 to 2022, the monthly rate of overdose deaths attributed to a single substance increased by 75 percent, while deaths involving two substances rose by 167 percent, and those involving three or more substances skyrocketed by an alarming 186 percent.
In total, 12,115 accidental overdose deaths across Ontario were linked to a lethal mix of opioids, stimulants, alcohol, and benzodiazepines during this period. Dr. Tara Gomes, an epidemiologist and a co-author of the report, emphasized the troubling trend. “Now, the most common situation is that opioids and stimulants together are contributing to death,” she stated. “But we’ve also seen an increase in deaths where three or more substances are involved, complicating how we support those in crisis.”
The most significant contributor to these fatalities remains illicit opioids, particularly fentanyl, which was detected in nearly 84 percent of drug toxicity deaths — more than 10,000 lives lost. Stimulants were involved in nearly 62 percent of overdose deaths, while alcohol and benzodiazepines accounted for 13 and 9 percent, respectively.
This crisis is not just a number on a page; it’s a harsh reality for families and communities in Northern Ontario. The report highlights a disturbing connection to the healthcare system, revealing that about one-third of those who succumbed to overdose had some form of healthcare interaction in the week leading up to their death. “Fifty-six percent of people who died had some type of engagement with the healthcare system in the previous 30 days,” Dr. Gomes noted. This raises critical questions about the adequacy of support and services available to those struggling with substance use.
Dr. Gomes stressed the necessity for emergency departments to be equipped to handle the complexities of addiction. “Unfortunately, the concern we have in the findings is that those emergency departments are not always set up to provide the care needed,” she cautioned. The absence of addiction medicine specialists in most hospitals underscores a significant gap in treatment, leaving vulnerable individuals without the specialized support they desperately require.
While some promising programs, like addiction medicine consult services, exist, their limited availability highlights the urgent need for a province wide roll-out. “The goal of those programs is to integrate specialized care for addiction within emergency departments and hospitals,” Gomes explained, emphasizing the importance of seamless transitions to primary care and community-based services upon discharge.
The opioid crisis in Ontario has been compounded by the emergence of fentanyl around 2015, which infiltrated the drug supply, leading to a swift increase in overdose deaths. The pandemic further exacerbated the situation, as social isolation and restricted access to healthcare services left many individuals using drugs alone, often with tragic consequences.
Recent statistics reveal that over 2,600 Ontarians succumbed to opioid-related deaths in 2023 alone, a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis. In response, the province plans to close 10 supervised consumption sites due to their proximity to schools and daycares, shifting towards an abstinence-based treatment model. This decision raises concerns within Northern Ontario communities, where access to safe consumption spaces and harm reduction services is already limited.
As the region grapples with this profound crisis, the voices of those impacted by addiction resonate louder than ever. Families mourn the loss of loved ones, and communities rally to support one another in the face of overwhelming grief. The need for comprehensive, compassionate care has never been more pressing, and as the report underscores, the time for change is now.