Northern Ont. opioid deaths remain high despite slight provincial dip

A new report shows a slight decrease in Ontario drug deaths, but 605 still died last quarter. Northern Ontario health units report the highest rates.

A new quarterly report from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network indicates a decrease in drug-related deaths for July 2025 compared to the same period last year. Despite this reported decline, local health advocates in northern Ontario are urging the public to view the statistics with a sober perspective, emphasizing that the raw numbers still represent a profound and ongoing community tragedy.

Marginal decrease obscures ongoing tragedy, advocates warn

The data, covering the three-month period from May to July 2025, confirms that 605 individuals died from suspected drug-related causes across the province. This figure underscores the severe human cost of the ongoing toxic drug crisis. In northern Ontario, the communities within Thunder Bay, Sudbury & Districts and the Porcupine Health Unit have consistently reported the highest rates of opioid toxicity-related deaths over the past two years.

Commenting on a recent coroner’s report for the Sudbury area, Sam Mortimer, a public health nurse with Public Health Sudbury & Districts, noted a slight decrease but stressed its insignificance in the broader crisis.

“In relation to the coroner’s report that just came out, in Sudbury there has been a slight decrease from the period of January to I believe it’s May or June, in 2025, compared to 2024. But again, the number is marginal and not a huge difference,” she said.

Northern Ontario disproportionately impacted by crisis

The report further highlights a significant geographic disparity, with northern health units experiencing disproportionately higher rates of death. Kaela Pelland, the manager of engagement at Réseau Access Network, pointed to the devastating local impact, noting the year is far from over.

“I think it’s really important that folks remember that we’re not even towards the end of the year yet,” she said. “We’re still in the third quarter of the year and there are 75 suspected opioid overdose deaths in Sudbury & District over the past seven months… that is absolutely tragic.”

Pelland also emphasized that the quantitative data fails to capture the full scope of the crisis, which includes permanent impacts on survivors’ brains and bodies. She urged for a compassionate and destigmatized view of those affected by substance use.

“It’s really important that we humanize people and see folks as our neighbors, because they are our neighbors. These are our community members, our family, our friends and really just remember that,” she said. “It’s not helping anybody to stigmatize folks, to demonize people.”

Complex factors drive higher northern rates, official says

Mortimer explained to CTV News that the reasons for the higher rates in the north are complex and multifaceted. She cited northern Ontario’s rural geography, which creates barriers to accessing essential services, as a key factor.

“Industrial sectors, a higher rate of injuries and high-risk work can lead to more exposure to opioids. Also, things like geographical isolation and not having the same access to supports and programs. And additionally, in northern Ontario, we see a high rate of trauma and colonial trauma that can contribute to things like substance use and addiction,” Mortimer said.

Community training and awareness event announced

In response to the ongoing emergency, local organizations are continuing efforts to equip community members with life-saving skills. Pelland strongly advocates for widespread naloxone training.

“The best thing folks can do is be trained on how to use naloxone and be trained on overdose recognition and response. I think it’s crucial,” she said, adding, “I just really, really encourage folks to get trained on naloxone and folks can do that within our organization.”

To that end, Réseau Access Network is hosting a community open house on Aug. 29. The event is designed to increase awareness of the opioid crisis and provide education on overdose recognition and response in an effort to combat the epidemic within the Sudbury community.