Community Dashboard: Suspected opioid overdoses
Source: Opioid usage statistics
Rationale and analysis
Why this measurement is important
The number of fatal and non-fatal opioid-related toxicity events has risen dramatically over the past decade in Ontario, which is demonstrated by the number of suspected opioid overdoses.
How we measure this data
As overseen and reported by Public Health, Emergency Medical Services.
Prior-year values are annual totals while current-year values are reported on a cumulative monthly basis, as data is made available.
Data is preliminary and is subject to change without notice.
Progress and advancements
In June 2022, there were 50 suspected opioid overdoses responded to by Emergency Medical Services. From January to June 2022, there was a total of 325 suspected opioid overdoses. When compared to figures for 2021 for the same time period, the 2022 suspected opioid overdose rate has decreased by 35 per cent, as at June 2022.
In 2021, 73 per cent of calls related to males​, 67 per cent of calls occurred in individuals aged 25-44 and 52 per cent of calls occurred in St. Catharines and 24 per cent occurred in Niagara Falls.
In 2020, there were 630 suspected opioid overdoses with a response from Emergency Medical Services while the 2021 figure totals 999.
About this indicator
Suspected opioid overdoses means that an overdose may have been caused by consumed substance(s), where one or more of the substances was an opioid.
The number of suspected opioid overdoses are limited to those that are responded to by Niagara Region Emergency Medical Services.
More information
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
