Fentanyl tops list of drugs seized as London agencies outline health impacts
CBC
The number of people overdosing and dying as a result of opioid use in the London area is decreasing, according to new numbers released by local service agencies Wednesday.
The human toll in the city was higher than the rest of the province, based on population rates, only four years ago. But organizations such as the health unit and the police, suggest the work they're doing on the streets is changing the statistics.
Last year, 66 people died from what the Middlesex London Health Unit calls opioid poisoning from substances such as fentanyl. The number of fatalities hit a peak in 2021 when 135 people died.
The numbers, posted to the MLHU's website, was the subject of a news conference on Wednesday that brought together the medical officer of health, London's police chief and other service providers.
London police highlighted results from a program launched in April that saw more foot patrol officers on the streets in key areas where open air drug use is common, including in the downtown and Old East Village.
Police said officers made contact with approximately 800 people, with one in five accepting an offer for a referral to services.
Over the summer, police partnered with London Health Science Centre nurses to offer medical assistance to people on the streets. During the first nine weeks, the team responded to 194 calls, with the majority of people in need of wound care.
Health officials noted that since partners had formed between various sectors the number of people overdosing and winding up in the emergency department had steadily been declining.
In 2024, 491 people were admitted to hospital, compared to 1100 in 2021.
"Numerous factors may contribute to these trends, including access to programs and services, education on overdose prevention, initiatives to reduce stigma, and changes to the toxic drug supply," the health unit said in a statement.
Police said since April, the most common drug seized is fentanyl accounting for almost 90 per cent of seizures.
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