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Opioid Reporting

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Halton Region monitors opioid use in the community. The Region’s overdose early warning system enables rapid detection of situations involving opioids that require a public health or community response through data collection and surveillance, and by collaborating with community partners including first responders and hospitals. Opioid reporting provides a monthly snapshot of opioid activity in Halton Region. To learn more about opioids, including information about overdoses and where to get help for treatment, visit the Opioids page.

Paramedic services calls

There were 140 calls for suspected opioid overdose responded to by Halton Region Paramedic Services from January 1 to September 30, 2024. This is higher than the number of calls during this period in 2023 (131 calls) and 2022 (122 calls).

Emergency department visits

There were 93 visits by Halton residents to an emergency department in Ontario for a confirmed opioid overdose from January 1 to September 30, 2024. This is lower than the number of visits that occurred during this period in 2023 (110 visits) and 2022 (121 visits). However, data for 2024 are preliminary and subject to underreporting.

Naloxone distribution and use

There were 407 naloxone kits distributed over the last 12 months. The most kits were distributed in Burlington and Oakville. 187 (46%) of the kits distributed were refill kits.

There were 27 confirmed opioid-related deaths known to the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario from April 2023 to March 2024. This is lower than the number that occurred during this period in 2022-2023 (37 deaths) and 2021-2022 (38 deaths). Data for 2022 onwards are preliminary and subject to change.

Suspect drug-related deaths

There were 37 suspect drug-related deaths among Halton residents from January 1 to September 30, 2024. This is lower than the number that occurred during this period in 2023 (44 deaths) and similar to 2022 (40 deaths). Data are preliminary and subject to change.

Halton compared to Ontario

Rate of emergency department visits

In 2023, the rate of emergency department visits for confirmed opioid overdose among residents of any age was 29.1 visits per 100,000 in Halton (compared to 31.2 during 2022) and 86.3 visits per 100,000 in Ontario (compared to 80.4 during 2021). From 2014 through 2023, the rate of opioid-related ED visits in Halton has been consistently lower compared to Ontario.

Rate of opioid-related deaths

In 2023, the rate of opioid-related deaths among residents of any age was 4.6 deaths per 100,000 in Halton (compared to 6.5 during 2022) and 17.2 deaths per 100,000 in Ontario (compared to 16.8 during 2022). From 2014 through 2023, 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. Includes preliminary death data for 2023.

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.

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