Paramedic services calls
Year to date: 60
From January 1 to April 30, 2023, there were 60 calls for suspected opioid overdose responded to by Halton Region Paramedic Services. This is similar to the number of calls during this period in 2022 (61 calls), 2021 (64 calls) and 2020 (55 calls).
Emergency department visits
Year to date: 31
From January 1 to April 30, there were 31 visits by Halton residents to an emergency department in Ontario for a confirmed opioid overdose. This is lower than the number of visits that occurred during this period in 2022 (69 visits), 2021 (45 visits) or 2020 (57 visits). However, data from 2023 are preliminary and subject to underreporting.
Naloxone distribution and use
The Halton Region Health Department directly distributed 385 naloxone kits over the last 12 months. The most kits were distributed in Burlington and Oakville. 244 (63%) of the kits distributed were refill kits.
Opioid-related deaths
There were 30 confirmed opioid-related deaths among Halton residents from January to September 2022. This is higher than the number that occurred during this period in 2021 (25 deaths) or 2020 (22 deaths).
Suspect drug-related deaths
There were 12 suspected drug-related deaths among Halton residents known to the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario from January 1 to April 30, 2023. This is lower than the number of suspect drug-related deaths that occurred during this period in 2022 (18 deaths) or 2021 (23 deaths), but the same as 2020 (12 deaths). Data are preliminary and subject to change.
Halton compared to Ontario
Rate of emergency department visits
In 2021, the rate of emergency department visits for confirmed opioid overdose among residents of any age was 31.6 visits per 100,000 in Halton (compared to 29.6 during 2020) and 114.0 visits per 100,000 in Ontario (compared to 84.6 during 2020). From 2014 through 2021, the rate of opioid-related ED visits in Halton has been consistently lower compared to Ontario.
Rate of opioid-related deaths
In 2021, the rate of opioid-related deaths among residents of any age was 6.7 deaths per 100,000 in Halton (compared to 6.6 during 2020) and 19.2 deaths per 100,000 in Ontario (compared to 16.6 during 2020). From 2014 through 2021, the rate of opioid-related deaths in Halton has been consistently lower compared to Ontario.
Data source: Opioid-related morbidity and mortality in Ontario tool, Public Health Ontario.
Opioid reports
Opioid reporting provides a monthly snapshot of opioid activity in Halton Region. The report summarizes various indicators of opioid activity for the given month, including paramedic services calls and emergency department visits.