Number of Grey County opioid poisonings down 72 per cent in 2025

Supportive Outreach Services or SOS Grey-Bruce provides mobile support for addiction and mental health clients across Grey and Bruce counties. (Source: Grey County)

The number of opioid poisonings in Grey County was down 72 per cent last year, compared to 2024.

Grey County said data for the last quarter of 2025 is not available yet, but in the first three-quarters, opioid poisonings were down from 18 to five.

The county said a big part in this is local programming, playing an active role in responding to the opioid crisis.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to solving the overdose crisis, and no community can solve it alone,” said Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health.

“By investing in community-driven, culturally relevant, and evidence-based initiatives, we are making sure people have access to the care and support they need, close to home.”

One of the local programs in use is the Supportive Outreach Services (SOS), which supports community members experiencing homelessness and who suffer from mental health and addictions.

“The SOS program and other support services in Grey County provide a wraparound approach to providing care,” said Kevin McNab, Grey County paramedic chief.

“SOS may be the first point of contact providing basic needs and immediate care. As trust is built, clients can be referred to other services for further mental health or medical treatment, or social supports like housing and life skills development.”

Program partners acknowledge that a drop in opioid poisoning is good, there is still work that needs done.

“The 2025 numbers are positive, but they aren’t zero. We know we have more work to do,” said McNab.

“Substances in drug supplies are always changing, and we need to stay ready to react and respond. Not as individual services, but as a system of care.”