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Our new online Party Safer course is now available!
Learn about how and where to access Naloxone, reduce health risks using party safer tips, how to identify and respond to an overdose and find information on local supports. Take it at your own pace and get a certificate of completion.
The Overdose Crisis
We have seen a significant increase in the harms of fatal and non-fatal overdoses since the start of the pandemic and unfortunately rates have remained elevated. A broad multi-faceted response is needed to help address the overdose crisis. This is a complex issue compounded by interrelated challenges of increased mental health concerns and an increase in the number of residents needing homelessness services in the community.
Additional data is available on The Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Community Dashboard and Open data.
- For statistics on self-reported substance use, check out the "Do people feel well?" page.
- For statistics on drug use and overdose related harms, check out the "Are people experiencing harms from unmet needs?" page.
- For statistics on harm reductions services (e.g. naloxone, needle distribution program), check out the "Do people have access to harm reduction services" page
- For statistics on substance use health services and wait times (e.g. data from system navigation services), check out the "Can people get services when and where they need them?" page
- The number of suspected drug overdose ED visits is higher than the previous week.
- The number of suspected drug overdose deaths was higher than the previous weeks but lower than the highest numbers seen in 2023 to date.
- July of 2023 saw the highest number of confirmed opioid overdose related ED visits within the past 3 years.
- The number of confirmed opioid-related deaths in the second quarter of 2023 is lower than that seen in the first quarter of 2023 and is similar to most quarters of 2022.
- All areas of Ottawa are affected by opioid-related harms, but the largest numbers and rates tend to be in the downtown areas of Ottawa.
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What's Being Done?
Learn more about ongoing work being done to address the overdose crisis, Ottawa's Strategy and resources available.
Myths
| People with mental illnesses and/or addictions are usually homeless. Agree or disagree? |
| In fact, while many homeless people have mental health or substance use health issues, not all people with mental illnesses and/or addictions or substance use disorders are homeless. Many people living with mental illness and/or addictions or substance use disorders have jobs, go to school, and have families |
| People living with an addiction lack willpower. Agree or disagree? |
| In fact, addictions and substance use disorders are not a choice, a moral failing or a lack of willpower. There are many complex health and social factors that contribute to the development of addictions and substance use disorders (i.e. genetics, early life experiences, environment and stressful life events. |
| People living with an addiction don’t want help |
| In fact, stigma is one of the largest barriers preventing people experiencing challenges with substance use from seeking help or health care. Other barriers include self-stigma, structural stigma, not knowing where to go for help and a lack of supportive social networks. |
| People living with an addiction will never get better. |
| In fact, treatment measures for addictions and substance use disorders are effective and generally as successful as those for other chronic medical conditions. Recovery is possible and attainable! |
| People are more likely to hire someone with a mental health condition compared to someone with a substance use disorder |
| According to a November 2021 population survey, a greater number of Ottawa residents strongly agreed that:
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| True or false? Stigma is one of the biggest barriers preventing people from seeking help. |
| True. Stigmatizing language like “drug abuse” or “addict” can inflict a sense of shame that stops someone from seeking help. |
The overdose crisis, with the increasingly toxic and unpredictable unregulated drug supply, continues to have devastating impacts on people, their families, friends and the community. Learn more about the situation in Ottawa, how we can address this complex crisis together, and where harm reduction and treatments services and supports are available.
StopOverdoseOttawa.ca
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