The latest opioid surveillance report from Chatham-Kent (CK) Public Health shows the number of EMS calls for opioid overdoses in August was the highest in a year.
CK Public Health reported 23 suspected opioid poisoning calls, for a total of 96 so far in the first eight months of this year.
Public health officials also noted six non-opioid drug overdose calls in August, totaling 73 from January until the end of August.
The health unit also reported 13 visits to the emergency department (ED) in the month related to opioid poisonings (68 so far in 2025).
"The 3-month moving average number of opioid poisoning EMS calls and ED visits were higher compared to last month’s report, and suspect drug deaths were similar," wrote Laura Zettler, Epidemiologist with CK Public Health, in her report. "For Chatham-Kent and Ontario overall, the number of opioid-related deaths in the 1st quarter of 2025 is lower than the number of deaths in the quarter prior."
Officials added that three people died in June, July, and August from suspected drug overdoses, increasing the yearly total to 10. That number is on track to be well below the 47 drug-related deaths all of last year.
CK Public Health has confirmed that two people died from opioid poisoning in CK from March until the end of May 2025, bringing the number of confirmed or probable opioid poisoning deaths in CK to three in 2025. However, that number is also tracking to be less than the 22 deaths in 2024.
The report stated that since 2021, about 1 in 5 opioid deaths occurs amongst people experiencing homelessness.
The CK health unit reminds the public that the unregulated drug supply is unpredictable and constantly changing, putting people at risk.
In August, CK Public Health warned of a rise in recent drug poisonings or overdoses.
In June, officials reported the number of suspected drug-related deaths or opioid overdoses in Chatham-Kent was down in the first three months of 2025 compared to the previous three to close out 2024.
