Close Alert Banner
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip to Content
Region of Durham Logo
Contact Us
Engage
  • Living Here
    • 311 – Connecting you to our services
    • A to Z Services
    • Accessibility
    • Age-Friendly Durham
    • Animal Services and Control
    • Climate, Energy and Resilience
    • Conservation Authorities
    • Counselling
    • Crime Prevention and Public Safety
    • Early Learning and Child Care
    • Education and Schools
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Emergency Services
    • Emergency Social Services
    • Food Banks
    • Housing and Homelessness
    • Libraries
    • Living with Low-Income
    • Long Term Care and Adult Day Programs
    • View More...
    View our Garbage and Recycling page

    Garbage and Recycling

    View our My Property page

    My Property

    View our Roads and Traffic page

    Roads and Traffic

  • Discovering Durham
    • About Durham Region
    • Arts and Culture
    • Bike Month
    • Cycling and Walking
    • E-mobility
    • Local Food and Farmers' Markets
    • Maps
    • New to Durham Region
    • Parks, Trails and Conservation Areas
    • Spectator Sports
    • Sport Tourism
    • Sports and Recreation
    • Tourism
    • Tourism Festival and Events Calendar
    • Transportation and Transit
    View our Tourism page

    Tourism

    View our Tourism Festival and Events calendar

    Tourism Festival and Events Calendar

    View our Transportation and Transit page

    Transportation and Transit

  • Doing Business
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • As-Built Drawing Request
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Business Directory
    • Business Count
    • Community Social Investment Framework
    • Construction and Your Business
    • Construction Liens
    • Design and Construction Specifications
    • Economic Development
    • Events
    • Garbage and Recycling Collection on Private Property
    • Housing
    • Municipal Consent
    • Operating a Child Care Centre
    • Planning and Development
    • Public Health Inspections for Businesses
    • Purchasing
    • Project Reports, Studies and Plans
    View our Agriculture page

    Agriculture

    View our Business Directory page

    Business Directory

    View our Purchasing page

    Purchasing

  • Health and Wellness
    • Alcohol, Cannabis, Drugs and Smoking
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Child Health and School-Age Children
    • Clinics and Classes Calendar
    • COVID-19 Update
    • Domestic Violence
    • Dental and Oral Health
    • Environment and Your Health
    • Health Care Professionals
    • Health Check-Up, Performance Reports and Health Plans
    • Health Information Services
    • Healthy Living
    • Illness, Infection and Disease
    • Immunizations and Vaccines
    • Injury Prevention and Safety
    • Mental Health
    • MPOX
    • Pregnancy
    • Public Health Inspections and Investigations
    • View More...
    Launch the Durham Region COVID-19 Data Tracker

    COVID-19 Data Tracker

    View our Health Care Professionals page

    Health Care Professionals

    View our Report Immunizations Online page

    Report Immunizations Online

  • Regional Government
    • A to Z Services
    • Access to Information
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Awards
    • Bill 23
    • Budget and Financial
    • By-Laws
    • Careers and Volunteering
    • CityStudio Durham
    • Community Engagement
    • Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
    • Contact Us
    • Court and Traffic Tickets (Provincial Offences)
    • COVID-19 Information and Resources
    • COVID-19 Recovery Framework and Action Plan
    • Departments
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Durham Region 101
    • Durham Region Strategic Plan
    • View More...
    View our Council page

    Council

    View our Open Data page

    Open Data

    View our Regional Services map

    Regional Services

I'd Like To...

Apply or Register For

  • Applications, Licences and Permits
  • Bidding Opportunities
  • Careers and Volunteering
  • Freedom of Information Request
  • Housing

Learn About

  • A to Z Services
  • Being New to Durham Region
  • Budget
  • By-Laws
  • Council
  • Durham Region Transit
  • Public Health Inspections

Report an Issue

  • By-Law Infraction
  • Downed Sign
  • Health Protection Complaint
  • Illegal Dumping
  • Missed Garbage or Recycling Pickup
View our Twitter Page View our Facebook Page View our YouTube Page view our LinkedIn page

Abstract artwork, strings attached to pinheads symbolizing networking.

Durham Region Opioid Information System

Home...Alcohol, Cannabis, Drugs and SmokingOpioids and Overdose PreventionDurham Region Opioid Information System
Decrease text size Default text size Increase text size
Print this page
Share this page
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Alcohol, Cannabis, Drugs and Smoking
    • Alcohol
    • Cannabis
    • Opioids and Overdose Prevention
      • Durham Opioid Response Plan
      • Durham Region Opioid Information System
    • Safe Needle Disposal
    • Tobacco and Vaping
  • Babies and Toddlers
    • Babies with Developmental Concerns
    • Baby's First Year
    • Breastfeeding and Newborn Care Online Classes and Videos
    • Bringing Baby Home
    • Car Seat Safety and Booster Seats
    • Crib Safety
    • Feeding Your Baby
    • Flat-head Syndrome
    • Infant Crying
    • Infant Sleep and Sleep Habits
    • Parenting Your Child and Positive Parenting
    • Perinatal Mood Disorders
    • Shaken Baby Syndrome
  • Child Health and School-Age Children
    • Bullying
    • Car Seat Safety and Booster Seats
    • Child Care and Early Learning
    • Child Development
    • Child Immunization and School Clinics
    • Picky Eaters
  • Clinics and Classes Calendar
  • COVID-19 Update
    • Case Status in Durham Region
    • COVID-19 Case and Contact Information Hub
    • COVID-19 Guidance and Advice for Businesses and Organizations
    • COVID-19 Testing
    • COVID-19 Vaccines
    • Facts and Frequently Asked Questions
    • Health Care Professionals
    • Institutional Outbreaks
    • Masks
    • Mental Health
    • Resources
    • Schools Reopening Toolkit
  • Domestic Violence
  • Dental and Oral Health
    • Brushing and Flossing
    • Fluoride
    • Oral Cancer
    • School Screening Dental Clinics
    • Snacking
  • Environment and Your Health
    • Air Quality
    • Extreme Cold
    • Extreme Heat and Humidity
    • Flooding
    • Harmful Plants
    • Nuclear Awareness
    • Private Wells
    • Sewage and Septic Systems
    • Sun Safety and Tanning
  • Health Care Professionals
  • Health Check-Up, Performance Reports and Health Plans
    • 2021 Health Check-Up!
    • 2020 Health Check-Up!
    • 2019 Health Check-Up!
    • 2022 Health Plan
    • 2021 Health Plan
    • 2020 Health Plan
    • 2019 Health Plan
  • Health Information Services
    • Durham Health Stats
    • Health Care
    • Health Neighbourhoods
    • Information Practices / Client Safety / Customer Service Standards
    • Outbreaks, Recalls, Advisories and Alerts
    • Public Access to Defibrillators
  • Healthy Living
    • Healthy Aging
    • Healthy Communities
    • Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Routines
    • Food Poverty
    • Infection Prevention
    • Low Cost and Subsidized Recreation Programs
    • Physical Activity
  • Illness, Infection and Disease
    • Avian Influenza
    • Facts About...
    • Food Poisoning
    • Infection Control in Institutions
    • Influenza (Flu)
    • Insects, Rodents and Bites
    • Legionella
    • Lyme Disease
    • Meningitis
    • MPOX
      • Information for Health Care Professionals
    • Rabies
    • Reportable Diseases
    • Tuberculosis (TB)
    • West Nile Virus
  • Immunizations and Vaccines
    • Adult Immunization
    • Child Immunization and School Clinics
    • Influenza (Flu)
    • Travel Health
    • Vaccine Safety
  • Injury Prevention and Safety
    • Bike Safety
    • Car Seat Safety and Booster Seats
    • Child Safety
    • Falls
    • Healthy Aging
    • Off-roading Safety
    • Playgrounds
    • Preventing Concussions
    • Road and Traffic Safety
  • Mental Health
    • Counselling
    • Perinatal Mood Disorders
    • Suicide Prevention
  • MPOX
  • Pregnancy
    • Alcohol in Pregnancy
    • Car Seat Safety and Booster Seats
    • Infections in Pregnancy
    • Online Prenatal Classes
    • Perinatal Mood Disorders
    • Planning for Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Options
    • Preterm Labour and Birth
    • Substance Use in Pregnancy
  • Public Health Inspections and Investigations
    • Beaches
    • Check&GO! Durham
    • Food Safety
    • Food Safety Training
    • Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Lapse Reports
    • International Agricultural Worker Housing Inspections
    • Know Your Public Health Inspector
    • Operating a Child Care Centre
    • Playgrounds
    • Public Health Inspections for Businesses
    • Rabies
    • Recreational Water
    • Salons and Spas
    • Sewage and Septic Systems
    • Small Drinking Water Systems
    • Smoking, Vaping and Retailer Convictions
    • Submit a Complaint or Concern
    • Tattoos and Piercings
  • School Health
    • Educators
    • Parents
    • School-Based Public Health Clinics
    • Schools Reopening Toolkit
  • Sexual Health and Clinics
    • 2SLGBTQI+
    • Birth Control
    • Pregnancy Options
    • SEXed Manual for Educators
    • Sexual Health Decisions
    • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Durham Region Health Department's Opioid Information System provides the latest opioid overdose-related statistics, including Region of Durham Paramedic Services calls, emergency department visits and opioid-related deaths.

Region of Durham Paramedic Services (RDPS) calls

Ambulance icon.

Between January 1 and March 19, 2023, RDPS received 117 calls related to suspected opioid overdoses, which is similar to 2022 (126 calls) for the same period.

In 2022, approximately 573 suspected opioid overdose calls were received by RDPS, which is a decrease compared to 998 calls in 2021 and 725 calls in 2020.

Between 2017 and 2019, the majority (67 per cent) of suspected opioid overdose calls were located in Oshawa.

Map of RDPS calls related to suspected opioid overdoses

Weekly number of suspected opioid overdose calls
Weekly number of suspected opioid overdose calls received by RDPS, January 23 to March 19, 2023
Week beginning MondayNumber of calls
13-MAR-2023 4
06-MAR-2023 14
27-FEB-2023 9
20-FEB-2023 7
13-FEB-2023 7
06-FEB-2023 9
30-JAN-2023 14
23-JAN-2023 13
Monthly number of suspected opioid overdose calls

Monthly number of suspected opioid overdose calls received by RDPS, January 2018 to February 2023

Monthly number of suspected opioid overdose calls received by RDPS, January 2018 to November 2022

Location of suspected opioid overdose calls

Per cent of suspected opioid overdose calls for RDPS by location, 2022

Bar graph showing the per cent of suspected opioid overdose calls for RDPS by location, 2022

Location of suspected opioid overdose calls received by RDPS

2022
Pick-up locationNumber of callsPer cent of calls
Pickering 22 4
Ajax 61 11
Whitby 41 7
Oshawa 395 69
Clarington 33 6
Uxbridge 0 0
Scugog Not releasable Not releasable
Brock Not releasable Not releasable
Counts between one and four were suppressed for confidentiality.
Calls outside of Durham Region or with an unknown location were not included in this table.
2021
Pick-up locationNumber of callsPer cent of calls
Pickering 21 2
Ajax 87 9
Whitby 74 7
Oshawa 698 70
Clarington 69 7
Uxbridge 8 1
Scugog 15 2
Brock 10 1
Counts between one and four were suppressed for confidentiality.
Calls outside of Durham Region or with an unknown location were not included in this table.

2020
Pick-up locationNumber of callsPer cent of calls
Pickering 21 3
Ajax 48 7
Whitby 74 10
Oshawa 478 66
Clarington 57 8
Uxbridge 5 1
Scugog 14 2
Brock 8 1
Counts between one and four were suppressed for confidentiality.
Calls outside of Durham Region or with an unknown location were not included in this table.

2019
Pick-up locationNumber of callsPer cent of calls
Pickering 35 6
Ajax 34 6
Whitby 73 12
Oshawa 384 65
Clarington 36 6
Uxbridge Not releasable Not releasable
Scugog 7 1
Brock 5 1
Counts between one and four were suppressed for confidentiality.
Calls outside of Durham Region or with an unknown location were not included in this table.

2018
Pick-up locationNumber of callsPer cent of calls
Pickering 31 7
Ajax 32 8
Whitby 54 13
Oshawa 267 63
Clarington 24 6
Uxbridge Not releasable Not releasable
Scugog 5 1
Brock Not releasable Not releasable
Counts between one and four were suppressed for confidentiality.
Calls outside of Durham Region or with an unknown location were not included in this table.

2017
Pick-up locationNumber of callsPer cent of calls
Pickering 10 3
Ajax 14 4
Whitby 40 12
Oshawa 249 74
Clarington 18 5
Uxbridge Not releasable Not releasable
Scugog 5 1
Brock 0 0
Counts between one and four were suppressed for confidentiality.
Calls outside of Durham Region or with an unknown location were not included in this table.

Emergency department visitsHospital icon.

There has been a general increase in the number of emergency department (ED) visits for opioid poisonings in Durham Region residents over the past nine years, with the numbers fluctuating on a month-to-month basis. Between 2013 and 2021, the rate of ED visits in Durham Region due to opioid poisoning increased almost five times from 24.8 visits to 121.8 visits per 100,000 people. Durham Region is also higher than the 2021 Ontario ED visit rate for opioid poisonings of 114 visits per 100,000 people.

Monthly number of opioid overdose visits

Monthly number of confirmed opioid overdose emergency department visits by Durham Region residents, January 2018 to January 2023

Monthly number of confirmed opioid overdose ED visits, January 2018 to October 2022

Annual rate of opioid overdose visits

Annual rate of confirmed opioid overdose emergency department visits by Durham Region and Ontario residents, 2013-2021

Annual rate of confirmed opioid overdose ED visits by Durham Region and Ontario residents, 2013-2018

Opioid-related deathsWarning symbol icon.

The number of deaths related to opioid poisoning in Durham Region residents has been increasing over the past nine years. In 2021, there were 130 deaths related to opioid poisoning in Durham Region, seven times the number in 2013. The rate of opioid-related deaths among Durham Region residents in 2021 was 18 deaths per 100,000 people, which was slightly lower than Ontario’s rate of 19.2 per 100,000 people.

Preliminary data shows there were approximately 72 opioid-related deaths in Durham Region residents from January to November 2022. This data is subject to change.

For data December 2021 and prior, see the Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Opioid Tool. 

Annual number of opioid-related deaths

Number of opioid-related deaths among Durham Region residents, 2013-2021

Line graph showing number of opioid-related deaths among Durham Region residents, 2013-2020.

Notes

Data sources

Region of Durham Paramedic Services

Source: Region of Durham Paramedic Services Ambulance Call Report Database.

Paramedic services calls for suspected opioid overdoses consisted of calls made to the Region of Durham Paramedic Services (RDPS) where naloxone was administered (by paramedics or prior to their arrival), or where the patient was thought to be overdosing on one or more opioid drugs or a combination of opioid and non-opioid drugs. Intentional overdoses were included. Because no drug testing was performed, it is possible that the patient did not overdose or overdosed on a non-opioid drug. The diagnosis recorded by the hospital or cause of death determined by the coroner may differ from paramedic services. Not all paramedic services calls result in the patient being transported to hospital. RDPS calls in Durham Region may include non-Durham Region residents. As well, RDPS may respond to calls outside of Durham Region and some overdose calls in Durham Region may be responded to by other paramedic services. Calls by other paramedic services would not be captured in this data. We mapped calls based on the pick-up location of the RDPS call which may or may not reflect where the patient lives. Individuals may have more than one suspected opioid overdose call on separate occasions. The number of calls should not be interpreted as the number of individuals. This data only includes instances where 911 was called and underestimates the true number of overdoses in the community.

Emergency department visits

Sources:

Annual Rates: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Interactive Opioid Tool. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2022. Available from: www.publichealthontario.ca/en/data-and-analysis/substance-use/interactive-opioid-tool.

A confirmed opioid overdose emergency department (ED) visit is an unscheduled ED visit made to any emergency department in Ontario and includes ICD-10-CA codes T40.0 (poisoning by opium), T40.1 (poisoning by heroin), T40.2 (poisoning by other opioids), T40.3 (poisoning by methadone), T40.4 (poisoning by other synthetic narcotics), or T40.6 (poisoning by other and unspecified narcotics). For data from April 1, 2018 onwards, the following codes were also included: T40.20 (poisoning by codeine and derivatives), T40.21 (poisoning by morphine), T40.22 (poisoning by hydromorphone), T40.23 (poisoning by oxycodone), T40.28 (poisoning by other opioids, not elsewhere classified), T40.40 (poisoning by fentanyl and derivatives), T40.41 (poisoning by tramadol), T40.48 (poisoning by other synthetic narcotics, not elsewhere classified), T40.6 (poisoning by other and unspecified narcotics). We excluded cases with a query/suspected diagnosis (diagnosis prefix = Q). Each visit was captured only once, even if multiple opioids were involved. The number of visits does not represent the number of unique individuals, as individuals may have more than one visit at different times.

Durham Region rates and counts represent patients who were residents of Durham Region and visited any ED in Ontario. As final data were not available beyond June 2022 from the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS), preliminary data from the MOH were used for July 2022 and onwards with the same diagnosis codes referenced above. This preliminarily data is subject to change and likely an underestimate of final data. Finally, ED visits underestimate the number of opioid overdoses since not all individuals who have an overdose visit an emergency department.

Annual rates for Durham Region and Ontario were extracted from Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Opioid Tool.

Opioid-related deaths

Sources:

Coroner's Opioid Investigative Aid, Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario, extracted March 2023.

Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Interactive Opioid Tool. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2021. Available from: www.publichealthontario.ca/en/data-and-analysis/substance-use/interactive-opioid-tool.

Opioid-related deaths refers to all deaths in which opioid poisoning was considered as contributing to the cause of death, whether accidental or intentional. The Interactive Opioid Tool excluded deaths due to chronic substance use, medical assistance in dying, homicide, and trauma where an intoxicant contributed to the circumstances of the injury. Deaths were assigned to public health unit based on decedent’s postal code of residence. If residence postal code was unavailable, the postal code of the incident location was used, with location of death postal code being used if no other data available.

Death data for 2021 is preliminary and subject to change.

Receive email updates

Contact Us

Region of Durham logo

Living HereDiscovering DurhamDoing BusinessHealth and WellnessRegional Government

© 2023 Durham Region, 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3, Canada, Telephone (within regional limits): 311, Telephone: 905-668-7711, Toll-Free: 1-800-372-1102

HomeTerms of Use and Privacy StatementAccessibilityAccess to InformationCareersA to Z ServicesContact Us
By GHD Digital