The OPP has announced that it has saved 102 lives using naloxone.
The increase in the use of opioids has led to more opioid-related overdoses and the number of times that officers have to administer naloxone. Officers began carrying naloxone in September 2017.
According to the OPP, here are some key stats from September 2017 to November 2019 includes:
- The majority, 66 per cent, of naloxone recipients were male and 34 per cent were female.
- The average age of naloxone recipients was 31.5 for females and 32 for males.
- Most incidences occurred inside a residence.
- The majority of opioid-related overdoses occurred in OPP’s Central and West Regions.
- There was a 121 per cent increase in overdose occurrences attended by the OPP from 2016 to 2018.
The OPP says it is determined to hold drug traffickers responsible by laying charges for drug-related deaths. Charges have been laid for manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death in relation to fatal overdoses, with 13 occurrences during the last four years according to the police. Eight of these occurred in 2019.