Opioid-related deaths in Ontario increased nearly 40 per cent since COVID-19: study

Opioid-related deaths in Hamilton have more than doubled since the province declared a state of emergency because of COVID-19.

That’s according to a new report by the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network.

The study was funding by the provincial and federal government and looked at how the pandemic affected opioid-related deaths in the province.

In the first 15 weeks of the pandemic, 695 people died, marking a 38 per cent increase compared to the 15 weeks before the pandemic.

The pandemic has also affected where these deaths are happening.

While the majority continue to occur in large urban areas and private residences, there were fewer opioid-related deaths in public indoor spaces.

Opioid-related deaths have decreased in public indoor spaces and increased in outdoor spaces, hotels, motels and shelters.

— Randy Rath (@rath_randy) November 10, 2020

Public health units in Hamilton, along with Peel Region and Toronto have reported the greatest increases in the number of opioid-related deaths.

The study says there is an urgent need for more services and supports for people using drugs across the province but especially in larger urban centres.