Hamilton’s opioid overdose calls exceed the monthly record for July: city reports

Hamilton saw a record-breaking 134 suspected opioid overdose calls in July, the highest monthly number since tracking began in 2017.

So far this year, Hamilton paramedics responded to 611 incidents related to suspected opioid overdoses. For august, Hamilton EMS say the suspected calls have exceeded 100.

Public health officials warn the real number of overdoses is likely higher, as many go unreported after the province axed a number of supervised consumption sites in exchange for abstinence-based treatment hubs.

“It is short-term data, we do need to see where these trends go, but the combination of the closure of services, combining with the violent, unpredictable drug supply certainly at play,” Dr. Eilish Scallan, a doctor with Hamilton Public Health.

Since the closure of the supervised Hamilton site, the city’s data shows a gradual uptick in EMS calls and even a public alert regarding a spike in drug poisonings.

Information and support on harm reduction was available at Gore Park Friday afternoon, as International Overdose Awareness Day approaches this weekend.

The downtown Hamilton event offered resources like virtual help for safe consumption and addiction treatment.

Community agencies say they’re seeing more drop-ins and overdose reversals, while concerns rise over toxic, sedative-laced opioids on the streets.

READ MORE: Hamilton man, 21, faces multiple charges after east-end shooting

Hamilton Centre MPP Dr. Robin Lennox says street drugs are dangerously evolving.

“Particularly, over the last several months, the main thing that’s been in the drug supply are veterinarian tranquillizers and benzodiazepines,” said Lennox. “Those are having people have long periods of prolonged sedation, severe decreased levels of consciousness, and sometimes memory loss.”

Lennox is calling for solutions to Ontario’s overdose crisis, including an emergency task force involving stakeholders to help curb a better strategy around tackling the province-wide crisis.

“We have been in the midst of a public health emergency for nine years but the Ford government isn’t able to face it. So today we are calling for the immediate formation of an emergency task force to address Ontario’s overdose crisis, with a mandate to develop and implement evidence-based strategy to combat the overdose crisis,” Dr. Lennox says.

“We need to use every tool at our disposal, including harm-reduction and treatment to save lives. The task force would create a leadership and accountability structure that we desperately need with a clear mandate to reduce the harms of the toxic drug crisis in our communities.”

In 2024 seven people died every day from overdoses in Ontario and advocates say the problem has only gotten worse since the Ford government closed the city’s supervised drug-use site in March, part of a provincial overhaul that shut down nine Ontario sites.

READ MORE: Halton police hold flag raising ceremony ahead of Intl. Overdose Awareness Day