The vast majority of local drug-poisoning deaths reported last year happened inside private homes and involved opioids, shows a report from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
There were 73 suspected drug poisoning deaths throughout WDG in 2023, based on data from an online reporting tool used by community organizations.
Looking specifically at the opioid-related deaths, which account for the largest amount, 78.9 per cent occurred in private residences, while 6.3 per cent happened in hotels/motels, along with 3.7 per cent in both congregate living situations and outdoors.
“This is particularly noteworthy because public perception often frames drug-related deaths as a ‘street’ issue. However, these numbers suggest that efforts should also be directed towards those residing in private homes,” the report states.
Deaths in shelters accounted for 2.1 per cent locally, with another 3.2 per cent in public buildings.
Provincially, 70.9 per cent of opioid-related deaths happened inside private residences.
Most of the WDG deaths occurred in Guelph, where there were 53 opioid-related drug poisoning deaths in 2023, along with nine in Wellington county and 11 in Dufferin county.
“Despite overall decreases in opioid-related mortality rates in recent years, WDG Public Health’s data shows a rise in opioid-related emergency department visits in 2023, reflecting the ongoing challenges posed by the unregulated drug supply, including substances like fentanyl,” the report states.
Guelph saw the largest number of opioid-related emergency department visits in 2023, with 99.5 per 100,00 residents, up from 81.6 in 2022. In Wellington county, there were 20.9 (down from 29) and Dufferin had 67.2 (up from 38.5).
Throughout WDG as a whole, there were 67.8 visits per 100,000 residents (up from 55.7), compared to 85 such province-wide, up from 80.2.
“The WDG rates for opioid-related ED visits remain below the provincial average from 2019 onwards,” the report notes, explaining WDG didn’t see the jump in emergency department visits the province experienced in 2021 (to 115 per 100,000 residents from 84.9).
That year the local rate fell to 66.2 from 72.8, which “may suggest an efficient distribution of harm reduction services and an effective response to the opioid epidemic” during the heart of the pandemic.
Between 2013 and 2023, there was a 29 per cent decrease in the number of WDG residents given opioid prescriptions for pain management. A similar decrease was experienced provincially.
That figure has fallen to 89 out of 1,000 residents from 123.
“As of 2023, older adults aged 65+ in WDG are more likely to be dispensed an opioid for pain management than any other identified age group. This is to be relatively expected, as older adults are more likely to be dispensed an opioid due to a higher prevalence of chronic pain,” the report explains. “That said, this age group could be susceptible to opioid-related harms if used improperly.
“Another noteworthy trend … is that women are more likely to be dispensed an opioid for pain management than their male counterparts across each age group (apart from ages 0-14, where the rate is equal).”
