Opioid related 911 calls decrease in June

Updated:

Newly released numbers show a decrease in the number of opioid-related 911 calls in Hamilton. As of June 20, 15 calls were reported – the lowest so far this year. But the fight against the crisis is far from over.

Data released by the City of Hamilton indicates 24 people died from opioid overdoses between January and June of 2016 – the most recent numbers available. In all of 2015, a total of 46 people died from opioid overdoses.

Last year, 462 naloxone kits were handed out and 192 people were revived. In the past six months, 672 kits have already been distributed, with 148 people revived.

According to the government of Ontario’s website, Samy’s Drug Mart on Barton St. is one of the 53 locations in Hamilton with free naloxone kits available.

Many of these locations also provide free fentanyl testing kits. The fentanyl test strips can be used at home to detect fentanyl in street drugs

Health Canada recently announced new regulations to allow provinces and territories to import not-yet approved medications to treat opioid addiction. It’s an initiative to help fight what they’re calling a “public health crisis.”