KAWARTHA LAKES-The OPP says they have seen a 121 per cent increase in overdose occurrences over a two year span.
During that same time frame 102 lives were saved using naloxone, since frontline officers began carrying it in September 2017. “The severity of the opioid crisis is evident in the increase of opioid-related overdoses and the number of incidences where officers have had to administer naloxone to save a life.” said officials in a Press Release today.
Key statistical information from September 2017 to November 2019 includes:
- The majority, 66 per cent, of naloxone recipients were male and 34 per cent were female.
- The average age of naloxone recipients was 31.5 for females and 32 for males.
- Most incidences occurred inside a residence.
- The majority of opioid-related overdoses occurred in OPP’s Central and West Regions.
- There was a 121 per cent increase in overdose occurrences attended by the OPP from 2016 to 2018.
Additionally, the OPP says officers are holding drug traffickers accountable by laying charges for drug-related deaths. Charges have been laid for manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death in relation to fatal overdoses, with 13 occurrences during the last four years. Eight of these occurred in 2019.
These numbers are a reflection of the OPP Niche Records Management database only.
