Paramedic services calls
Year to date: 162
From January 1 to December 31, 2022, there were 162 calls for suspected opioid overdose responded to by Halton Region Paramedic Services. This is lower than the number of calls responded to during 2021 (184 calls), 2020 (176 calls) or 2019 (230 calls).
Emergency department visits
Year to date: 147
From January 1 to December 31, 2022, there were 147 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 2021 (155 visits), 2020 (158 visits) or 2019 (204 visits). However, data from 2022 are preliminary and subject to underreporting.
Naloxone distribution and use
The Halton Region Health Department directly distributed 356 naloxone kits over the last 12 months. The most kits were distributed in Oakville and Burlington. 225 (63%) of the kits distributed were refill kits.
Opioid-related deaths
There were 20 confirmed opioid-related deaths among Halton residents from January to June 2022. This is similar to the number that occurred during 2021 (19 deaths) and higher than 2020 (14 deaths).
Suspect drug-related deaths
There were 47 suspected drug-related deaths among Halton residents known to the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario from January 1 to December 31, 2022. This is lower than the number of deaths that occurred during 2021 (62 deaths) or 2020 (52 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.