Twenty Canadians died every day from opioid overdoses in 2024.

That from data released today from the federal government. From January to December 2024, there were 7,146 opioid-related deaths, 5,514 hospitalizations, 36,266 Emergency Medical Services responses, and 24,587 emergency department visits.

That’s down about 17 per cent from 2023 but is “still very high compared to previous years” said public health officials in a news release.

“Due to colonialization and continued marginalization, many Indigenous communities have also experienced increases in deaths and disproportionate harms, particularly among Indigenous women.”

Thirty-five people in Lambton died from opioid overdoses in 2024, one less than in 2023 and down significantly from 2020 where 43 people died during the pandemic.

So far this year, Lambton paramedics have been called to 60 opioid poisonings, 43 non-opioid poisonings and 15 people refused treatment. In 2024, there were 273 opioid poisoning calls in Lambton.