THUNDER BAY — Alarming new statistics compiled by Ontario's health ministry show the increasing seriousness of the opioid addiction problem in the Thunder Bay area.
According to data published by Public Health Ontario, there were 44 opioid-related deaths in the District of Thunder Bay last year.
That's an increase of more than 40 per cent from 2017, when 31 people died in the city and district after taking opioid pain medications.
The district had the highest per capita opioid death rate in Ontario that year.
A complete statistical analysis for 2018 has not been done yet, but Thunder Bay Drug Strategy coordinator Cynthia Olsen, says "With the increase in overdose deaths in our community, I anticipate we may still be up in the highest per capita for overdose death rates in Ontario" last year as well.
In an interview Tuesday, Olsen said because the national trend is toward an increasing number of deaths, the local stats do not come as a complete surprise.
She feels there's much more to be done to address the opioid crisis in the district.
"I'm hoping that [area residents] will see themselves as promoting other types of harm reduction supports or services, if you know somebody who uses substances," Olsen said.
Noting that the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network has found that some people are succumbing to opioids in their own homes, she said opioid users should try to ensure they are not alone, so that help is nearby if it proves necessary.
"If at all possible, though, check out the consumption and treatment services available at the NorWest Community Health Centre."
Olsen also suggested that people consider getting trained in the administration of naloxone, a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an overdose.
"Go to a pharmacy or reach out to a number of organizations, primarily Superior Points who can point you in the direction of getting overdose prevention training and a naloxone kit," she said.
According to Olsen, it's likely that fentanyl is playing a significant role in opioid deaths in Thunder Bay.
The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network has determined that 71 per cent of opioid deaths in the province are connected to fentanyl.
"A much smaller amount can be lethal...same with other fentanyl analogues such as carfentanyl. It just takes a miniscule amount of that to cause an overdose death or an overdose resulting in complications," Olsen said.
Despite the worrisome trend, Olsen believes the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy has done much to prevent even more deaths from opioids.
"If we hadn't collaborated in the way that we have for the past seven years with the initiation of overdose prevention training and the provision of naloxone back in 2013, things would be much worse"
Olsen added, "Community collaboration is a key."