Drug overdoses continue to cause deaths in the Hastings Prince Edward area.
The Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health received a report on the situation at its meeting on Wednesday.
In 2021, there were 29 deaths in the area, according to a report to the board by Stephanie McFaul, program manager for community programs.
There were 28 deaths recorded the year before.
McFaul says, “These deaths are just the tip of the iceberg.”
She indicated that many more overdoses are happening that are not reported.
McFaul emphasized the gravity of the situation during the pandemic.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ethan Toumishey tells Quinte News there has been a significant increase over the past few years.
“This was a concern, a deep concern, before the pandemic but oh the pandemic has only exacerbated it. So it’s a serious health effect for our community and we’re deeply focussed on it.”
From 2019 to 2021 there was an 80% increase in opioid deaths in this area.
Board member Belleville Councillor Sean Kelly asked where in the two counties the deaths had occurred.
Toumishey indicated the deaths were located in all areas of the two counties.
He also pointed out the opioid death rate is the same in this area as it is for the province.
McFaul pointed out that the heath unit, along with community partners, provided a large number of “safer drug use supplies and Naloxone” to facilitate harm reduction.
She emphasized the “Naloxone distribution is critical.”
