Overdoses, ER visits down in 2025 in Ontario region but officials not ready for optimism [Video]

Suspected opiate overdose calls and emergency room visits are down substantially in Durham Region in the first three months of 2025 from last year’s stark numbers – ER visits in March dropped to six from 49 just a year ago – but health department officials are not ready to call the decline a positive step just yet.

“We cannot interpret the current data we have as optimistic,” said a spokesperson for the Region of Durham Health Department, noting that there was a “slight increase” in the numbers for suspected opioid overdose paramedic service calls and preliminary opioid toxicity deaths in 2024 compared to 2023. “Currently, there is a slight decrease for opioid poisoning emergency department visits but these numbers are preliminary and are expected to increase when we receive finalized data.”

Suspected overdose deaths jumped in 2024, with 24 in the first quarter compared to 13 in 2023. There were …