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It's impossible to get real-time, national overdose data in Canada.
But I pieced together what I could.
In Ontario alone nearly 900 ppl died of confirmed/probable opioid ODs from *Jan to May* according to data I received. https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/xg89ma/covid-19-could-make-2020-canadas-worst-year-for-overdoses
But I pieced together what I could.
In Ontario alone nearly 900 ppl died of confirmed/probable opioid ODs from *Jan to May* according to data I received. https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/xg89ma/covid-19-could-make-2020-canadas-worst-year-for-overdoses
Overdose calls to paramedics and police have also been on the rise:
Jan-Aug 2020: Regina police had 700+ OD calls, up from 68 during the same time in 2019
Jan-Aug 2020: Winnipeg EMS responded to 735 opioid calls, up from 263 during the same time in 2019
Jan-Aug 2020: Regina police had 700+ OD calls, up from 68 during the same time in 2019
Jan-Aug 2020: Winnipeg EMS responded to 735 opioid calls, up from 263 during the same time in 2019
We're still waiting on updated OD numbers from Alberta, but OD emergency calls are rising there too:
June 2020: Edmonton EMS responded to 184 opioid-related emergencies up from 133 in June 2019
Jan-July 2020: Calgary Fire Dpt had 1,216 opioid calls up from 995 same time in 2019
June 2020: Edmonton EMS responded to 184 opioid-related emergencies up from 133 in June 2019
Jan-July 2020: Calgary Fire Dpt had 1,216 opioid calls up from 995 same time in 2019
Manitoba is the only province that hasn't yet published full overdose death data for 2019.
As for when we could get those numbers, a chief medical examiner spox told me they "may have 2019 and the first half of 2020 complete in the near future."
As for when we could get those numbers, a chief medical examiner spox told me they "may have 2019 and the first half of 2020 complete in the near future."
“I'm very concerned because up until now, we've had a completely piecemeal response to the overdose crisis” — @gilliankolla
“We’ve needed a comprehensive response for years now." https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/xg89ma/covid-19-could-make-2020-canadas-worst-year-for-overdoses
“We’ve needed a comprehensive response for years now." https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/xg89ma/covid-19-could-make-2020-canadas-worst-year-for-overdoses
NFLD health ministry told me 21 ppl there died of ODs this year (from Jan-Sept 2nd). They had 39 OD deaths total in 2019 (they couldn't break it down by drug type/month).
RCMP just issued a warning about "fentanyl-laced" drugs in rural communities there https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2020/burin-peninsula-rcmp-warns-fentanyl-and-morphine-illegal-drugs
RCMP just issued a warning about "fentanyl-laced" drugs in rural communities there https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2020/burin-peninsula-rcmp-warns-fentanyl-and-morphine-illegal-drugs
