Sudbury area sees increase in opioid deaths and overdoses in 2021
Recent numbers from Sudbury's Community Drug Strategy group show an increase in opioid-related deaths and overdoses in 2021.
It’s a continuing trend over recent years and officials hope prevention, harm reduction and education will help decrease those numbers in 2022.
The numbers show there were 54 opioid overdose deaths in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts from January to September of 2021, up from 44 deaths in the same period in 2020.
"The drug supply continues to be increasingly toxic and, you know, we have had an impact as a result of the pandemic that we have less access, borders closing," said Shana Calixte, the co-chair of the Sudbury Community Drug Strategy.
"And so that means that the drug supply is getting much more toxic and as a result, it’s having an effect on a number of our community members here in Sudbury."
Calixte said education will continue to be a big focus in the coming year to help overcome stigmas associated with drug use.
"You are not sure who may be using substances, it’s a really hard topic to talk about. We want to encourage people to continue to come out and discuss because that is how you can get more supports. And if you can talk more about it in ways that are less stigmatizing, it will allow people to feel more comfortable coming out and talking about their own substance use," she said.
Neil Stephen is the manager of consumption and treatment services at Reseau Access Network. The non-profit agency will be the service provider for the consumption and treatment services site that is currently under construction at Energy Court in Sudbury.
"We have got a significant increase in opioid-related overdoses and the tainted and toxic drug crisis that is in Sudbury area right now. So it gives us the ability to be on scene and to help respond to lower the chances of a death or various complications and a result of their consumption," Stephen said.
The Community Drug Strategy said it hopes the site will be operational by the spring and will make a difference to help decrease the number of opioid-related overdoses and deaths in 2022.
Correction
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Shana Calixte.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.