A report from Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra says 2020’s Emergency Room visits due to opioids were up ten per cent over 2019.
In a regular update to Grey County Council, (Jan 28), Arra noted there were 12 opioid related deaths in 2020. In 2019, there were 16 opioid related deaths.
Arra says, the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on opioid users in 2020, saying, “There is a correlation between the first wave and the second wave with increased opioid overdose.”
He noted Public Health has continued to maintain its effort to reduce opioid related harm, saying “The core programs have not stopped.” Arra lists them as needle exchange, Naloxone distribution, urgent outreach, social media and web content.
Arra notes, there was some decreased capacity due to lockdowns and COVID-19 measures which prevented public awareness events and group meetings, but he did note, “Alternatives online and others were available, for example the opioid working group downsized from meeting twice monthly to once a month. A small team still managed to do good work,” Says Arra.
He added, “We’re in the process of finalizing a Naloxone distribution contract with both EMS providers in Grey and Bruce. This is a tremendous amount of work actually to be established,” and thanked Grey and Bruce EMS for doing parallel work to make it happen.
Arra told Council, “We’ve been successful in being the first Health Unit in 2020 to get a contract with primary care for Naloxone distribution.” He says Public Health is working with Grey Bruce’s three hospital systems and are near completion of a contract to distribute Naloxone there as well.
Meanwhile, he highlighted other drug related harm reduction work this past year including the installation of a sharps disposal installed in Owen sound as a trial. Arra said, “If it’s successful we expect to provide more service in different areas of the two counties.”