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
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.