Vital Perspectives - The Opioid Crisis

Vital Perspectives is a story series about important public health issues in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas. These stories share the experiences of people affected by these issues, public health experts, and community partners. We hope these stories help you learn more about public health and the challenges we need to solve together.

The impact of the opioid crisis

The opioid crisis is one of the fastest-growing health problems in Canada. Every day, about 20 people die from opioid poisoning — that’s more than 7,000 deaths each year.

But the harms from opioids go beyond death. People who use opioids, and their loved ones, may experience:

• Physical harm – like infections or damage to organs

• Mental health issues – like anxiety or depression

• Social problems – like trouble with work, family, or friends

Why is this happening?

The opioid crisis is complex. Factors like mental health, poverty, homelessness, and discrimination all play a role. That means the solutions need to be just as wide-ranging. We need to work together on:

• Prevention – stopping opioid use before it starts

• Harm reduction – helping people stay safer if they use opioids

• Treatment – helping people recover from opioid addiction

• Enforcement – stopping the illegal sale of opioids

Other things like housing, jobs, and community support are also important for change.

Stories from our community

Partner spotlight: Central Community Health Centre

For the past two years, Dr. Joseph Mai and Shelley West, a nurse, have helped treat people struggling with opioid addiction in St. Thomas. They focus on helping people who are homeless or vulnerable. Read more about their work.

Community spotlight: Brennon's story

Brennon's family shares his story to raise awareness about gaps in services and the need for better support. By understanding these gaps, we can work to bridge them and change the course of the opioid crisis. Read Brennon's story.

Infographics: Telling the story of the opioid crisis in Oxford County, Elgin County and St. Thomas

In Oxford County, Elgin County, and St. Thomas, opioid-related harms have increased. Between 2019 and 2021:

• The average number of monthly deaths increased from 1.42 to 3.83 in 2021

• Emergency services and hospitalizations for overdoses also went up

Download full-size infographics:

• Infographic on opioid crisis in SWPH region (PDF)

• Infographic on opioid-related harms in SWPH region (PDF)

View other stories in the Vital Perspectives series 

• Story 2: Climate change and health