Sudbury paramedics feel the weight of the opioid epidemic
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has released its annual opioid surveillance data for Greater Sudbury and Manitoulin for this year so far.
The data found that opioids were involved in 74 per cent of all drug poisoning deaths in 2023.
While the findings are preliminary, fatal opioid-related overdoses have increased from January to April 2024 in comparison to the year before.
"There were 32 residents of Sudbury Manitoulin districts who had died from an opioid-related overdose," said Rachelle Roy, a Registered Nurse in mental health and addictions with the health unit.
"This represents a localized local annualized mortality rate of 44.2 deaths per 100,000 population per year, significantly higher than the rest of Ontario being 15.4."
While there could be many reasons for the increase due to the complexity of substance use, Roy said one factor is the toxicity of drugs in the community.
"When it comes to opioid-related poisonings and deaths, they happen in repeated patterns throughout the year," she said.
While the findings are preliminary, fatal opioid-related overdoses have increased from January to April 2024 in the region in comparison to the year before. (Photo from video)
"One of the main contributing factors is really being that we have a very volatile and unpredictable toxic drug supply and we have very potent opioids that are in the supply, such as fentanyl.
"Most recently we found carfentanil in the supply and it's being cut into the supply, (a fact) that is unknown to people taking these drugs, that there might be a lethal dose in it."
Additionally, between January and July, there were 206 visits to emergency departments in Sudbury and Manitoulin for opioid overdoses, a slight decrease from 2023 when there were 219.
Melissa Roney, deputy chief of paramedics for Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services, said the opioid crisis has created unprecedented challenges for staff.
On the front lines
"We're really on the front lines of this crisis and often responding to multiple overdose calls in a single shift," Roney said.
Roney said there are times when a paramedic will see the same patient more than once in a shift.
"We'll bring a patient to the hospital. That patient leaves without being seen. And we're called again because they're in distress," she said.
"We've implemented support systems, mental health resources for sure. We have a peer support network. And, you know, we're really trying to aim to help our staff cope with the increased stress and the emotional toll that goes along with these calls."
Roney said a goal is to offer wraparound support. She said an application has been submitted for paramedics to administer suboxone to a patient to alleviate withdrawal symptoms while they get treatment.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
She said it has proven successful in other communities.
"The goal … is to reduce the number of incidents, ultimately alleviating some of the strain on our paramedic team," Roney said.
"It would prevent that feeling of withdrawal and all those other symptoms that go on with that and could buy them some time to get some wraparound support from mental health and addictions."
Public Health said the Big Nickel will be lit up purple this week to mark International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31 to commemorate those who have lost their lives and the loved ones left behind.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
7 suspects, including 13-year-old, charged following 'violent' home invasion north of Toronto
Seven teenage suspects, including a 13-year-old, have been arrested following a targeted and “violent” home invasion in Vaughan on Friday, police say.
After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles
After being elected the 47th president on Nov. 5, Donald Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the Project 2025 movement he temporarily shunned.
Widow of Chinese businessman who was executed for murder can sell her Vancouver house, court rules
A murder in China and a civil lawsuit in B.C. have been preventing the sale of multiple Vancouver homes, but one of them could soon hit the market after a court ruling.
These vascular risks are strongly associated with severe stroke, researchers say
Many risk factors can lead to a stroke, but the magnitude of risk from some of these conditions or behaviours may have a stronger association with severe stroke compared with mild stroke, according to a new study.
Retiring? Here's how to switch from saving for your golden years to spending
The last paycheque from a decades-long career arrives next Friday and the nest egg you built during those working years will now turn into a main source of income. It can be a jarring switch from saving for retirement to spending in retirement.
Lotto Max jackpot climbs to $80M, tying record for largest prize
The Lotto Max jackpot has climbed to $80 million for just the second time in Canadian lottery history.
Canadian neurosurgeons seek six patients for Musk's Neuralink brain study
Canadian neurosurgeons in partnership with Elon Musk's Neuralink have regulatory approval to recruit six patients with paralysis willing to have a thousand electrode contacts in their brains.
Black bear killed in self-defence after attack on dog-walker in Maple Ridge, B.C.
A black bear has died following a brawl with a man on a trail in Maple Ridge, B.C.
Trump picks Brooke Rollins to be agriculture secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Policy Institute, to be agriculture secretary.