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Opioid use in Niagara

This is an overview of population health data related to opioid use in Niagara. It shares information on Niagara Emergency Medical Services provided across Niagara for suspected opioid overdoses along with harms associated with opioid use among Niagara residents. The purpose is to support greater awareness and help inform local planning, prevention, harm reduction and response efforts.

Niagara EMS responses

This data describes the number of responses by Niagara Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for suspected opioid overdoses.

Chart 1: Opioid overdoses responded to by Niagara EMS, 2024-2026

Number of opioid overdoses responded to by Niagara Region EMS by month, 2024 to 2026

January

  • 202472
  • 202548
  • 202696

February

  • 202477
  • 202538
  • 2026107

March

  • 202449
  • 202541
  • 2026128

April

  • 202449
  • 202537
  • 2026149

May

  • 202479
  • 202556
  • 2026164

June

  • 202480
  • 202566

July

  • 202480
  • 2025104

August

  • 202481
  • 2025110

September

  • 202470
  • 202582

October

  • 202449
  • 202559

November

  • 202449
  • 202583

December

  • 202435
  • 202568

Number of opioid overdoses responded to by Niagara EMS each month. 2026 figures are available up to May. From January to May, EMS responded to 644 opioid overdoses in 2026, compared with 220 in 2025 and 326 in 2024.

From January – May 2026, there were 644 suspected opioid overdoses that were responded to by EMS. This is approximately 129 responses per month. 

In 2025, there were 792 suspected opioid overdoses that were responded to by EMS.

  • 67 per cent of EMS responses occurred in males.
  • 55 per cent of EMS responses occurred in individuals aged 25-44.
  • 56 per cent of EMS responses occurred in St. Catharines while 31 per cent occurred in Niagara Falls.

In 2024, there were 770 suspected opioid overdoses that were responded to by EMS.

  • 68 per cent of EMS responses occurred in males.
  • 59 per cent of EMS responses occurred in individuals aged 25-44.
  • 54 per cent of EMS responses occurred in St. Catharines while 27 per cent occurred in Niagara Falls.

Opioid-related emergency department visits

This data describes the number of emergency department visits to hospitals for opioid-related emergencies for Niagara residents.

In 2025, there were 468 opioid-related emergency department visits. This is approximately 39 per month. 

In 2024, there were 643 opioid-related emergency department visits. This is approximately 54 emergency department visits per month. 

  • 65 per cent of opioid-related emergency department visits occurred in males
  • 52 per cent of opioid-related emergency departments visits occurred in individuals aged 25-44

Drug-related deaths

This data describes the number of suspected drug-related deaths being investigated by the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario that occur in Niagara region.

Chart 2: Suspect drug-related deaths

Number of suspected drug-related deaths in Niagara by month, 2024 to 2026

January

  • 202416
  • 202516
  • 20269

February

  • 202420
  • 20257
  • 202613

March

  • 202414
  • 202514
  • 202617

April

  • 202413
  • 202512
  • 20269

May

  • 202414
  • 202514
  • 202610

June

  • 202420
  • 202512

July

  • 202414
  • 20259

August

  • 202420
  • 202513

September

  • 202421
  • 202510

October

  • 202413
  • 20258

November

  • 202410
  • 202512

December

  • 202411
  • 202517

Number of suspected drug-related deaths in Niagara each month. 2026 figures are available up to May. From January to May, there were 58 suspected drug-related deaths in 2026, compared with 63 in 2025 and 77 in 2024.

From January – May 2026, there were 58 suspected drug-related deaths being investigated by the Coroner. This is approximately 12 per month.

In 2025, there were 144 suspected drug-related deaths being investigated by the Coroner. This is approximately 12 per month.

In 2024, there were 186 suspected drug-related deaths being investigated by the Coroner. This is approximately 16 per month.

Opioid-related deaths

This data describes the number of deaths due to opioid toxicity that occur in Niagara region.

From January - September 2025, there were a total of 54 deaths due to opioid toxicity. This is approximately six per month.

In 2024, there were a total of 113 deaths due to opioid toxicity. This is approximately nine per month. 

  • Fentanyl was the most common type of opioid present at the time of death (present in 81 per cent of deaths), followed by methadone (present in 14 per cent of deaths)

In 2023, there were a total of 133 deaths due to opioid toxicity. This is approximately 11 per month. 

  • Fentanyl was the most common type of opioid present at the time of death (present in 84 per cent of deaths), followed by methadone (present in 16 per cent of deaths)

Naloxone distribution in Niagara

For information related to naloxone kit distribution and other relevant information, see the dashboard from the Ontario Drug Policy and Research Network.

Data notes

Data are updated as new information becomes available. This can include monthly, quarterly and/or bi-annual updates. Data are subject to change without notice.

All data presented are based on contact with medical care services. These are considered underrepresentation of opioid use in Niagara.

Data source: Niagara Emergency Medical Services, 2026

Opioid overdoses responded to by Niagara Emergency Medical Services (EMS) includes all EMS calls where an opioid overdose is suspected and/or the patient has received naloxone, a medication used to reverse an overdose.

This data only represents overdoses where EMS is called and not all overdoses that occur in Niagara region.

All data are considered preliminary and subject to change.

Data source: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Substance use and harms tool >> [Cases of ED visits due to opioid-related poisonings in Niagara Region Public Health] [Internet]. Toronto, ON: King’s Printer for Ontario; 2025.

Emergency department visits due to opioid toxicity include all unscheduled visits where an opioid poisoning was recorded as the main or other problem code. These data capture all Niagara residents regardless of which hospital they visit.

Chart 2 data source: Office of the Chief Coroner, Ontario. (2026). OCC Monthly Update: Suspect drug opioid related deaths May 2026. [XLSX].

The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario investigates almost all suspicious deaths in Ontario.

Suspect-drug related deaths include deaths where the coroner indicated that they suspect the death may be drug-related based on preliminary investigation (e.g. drugs or drug use equipment were found at the scene, history of drug use or naloxone use, physical signs of drug use, etc.). These deaths exclude death associated with trauma (e.g. injuries) and medical assistance in dying cases.

Location of these deaths are assigned based on the location of the incident. If location of incident is not available, the location of death is used, followed by the location of residence.

Data source: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Substance use and harms tool >> [Cases of deaths due to opioid toxicity in Niagara Region Public Health] [Internet]. Toronto, ON: King’s Printer for Ontario; 2025.

Deaths due to opioid toxicity are confirmed opioid toxicity deaths for which a coroner or forensic pathologist determined the cause of death to be drug toxicity with opioid involvement and suspected drug-related deaths where conclusions on cause of death are pending, and toxicology is positive for opioids.

These deaths are assigned based on the location of the incident. If location of incident is not available, the location of death is used, followed by the location of residence.

Additional information including other substances and other Public Health Units can be found on Public Health Ontario’s Substance Use and Harms Tool.

Last updated: June 2026

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