‘It doesn’t discriminate’: Majority of Sudbury overdose deaths occurring behind closed doors

A report from Public Health Sudbury and Districts shows that most fatal drug poisonings in the region are happening inside people’s homes — not downtown, in encampments or in public spaces.

From 2022 to 2025, 76 per cent of suspected and confirmed drug poisoning deaths occurred in private residences, and 80 per cent of the people who died were living in private dwellings, according to data from the Office of the Chief Coroner.  

Dr. Mustafa Hirji, CEO of Public Health Sudbury and Districts and co-chair of the community drug strategy with the city of Greater Sudbury, said the numbers confirm what front-line workers have known for years.

“Most people who overdose are overdosing in their homes,” Hirji said. “They’re often people who are going about their life, holding a job, having a family, but struggling with this addiction.”  

He said public attention often focuses on visible homelessness and drug use downtown, but the data shows a far broader crisis.

From 2022 to 2025, suspected drug poisoning deaths reached:

“This is a much more complicated problem than what we might see every day throughout the community,” Hirji said.  

For people with lived experience, the trend toward private residences is not surprising.

Alyshia Fenerty, a Sudbury woman in recovery from drugs and alcohol, said addiction often drives people indoors, behind closed doors and away from anyone who might intervene.

“Addiction is a very isolating disease,” Fenerty said. “You’re sitting at home using by yourself… your addiction wants you isolated. It’s trying to kill you.”