ROADS TO RECOVERY: Studies and stats show some improvements

May 16, 2026

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sarnia-Lambton is struggling with an unprecedented addiction crisis, generating plenty of news about overdoses and homelessness. But sometimes there is recovery. And it’s anticipated that new government investment in local services and facilities will bring additional relief. The award-winning team of journalist Cathy Dobson and photographer Glenn Ogilvie set out this past winter to find individuals who have experienced serious alcohol and drug addictions, and who found their own path to recovery. Below, you can find the full supplement which appeared in The Independent May 14, 2026. Watch here for further stories.

Cathy Dobson/Local Journalism Inititiave

Public health officials from a myriad of local organizations and agencies admit there is fairly extensive data reflecting addiction’s devastating impacts, and not many statistics about recovery.
However, from what little is available, the stats show that Sarnia-Lambton may be starting to turn the corner on the prevalence and damage of drug abuse.

ADDICTION

The Lambton Health Unit reports:

Since 2019, opioid-related deaths in Sarnia-Lambton (S-L) have been higher than the Ontario average.
The only data available related to how prevalent opioid use is in S-L comes from local physicians. In 2024, 15,833 individuals received opioid prescriptions for pain treatment. Another 1,227 individuals received prescriptions for opioid withdrawal drugs such as methadone and Suboxone.
The Centre of Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto is Canada’s largest mental health and teaching hospital. The CAMH says Canada is in the midst of an unprecedented opioid crisis driven largely by the toxicity and unpredictability of fentanyl. An estimated 7,000 Canadians die each year from opioid-related overdoses and many more struggle with addiction.
Across Ontario and Lambton County, opioid-related deaths surged in 2020. Since then, rates have stabilized but remain high. The unregulated drug supply has become increasingly contaminated, according to the CAMH.
One in five S-L residents knows someone in their immediate circle who has overdosed, according to Lambton Public Health.
S-L has more regular and heavy drinkers than the provincial average. In S-L, 65.7% say they are regular drinkers, meaning they drink once a month or more. That compares to 54.4% in Ontario; In S-L, 29% say they are heavy drinkers, meaning they drink four (female) and five (male) drinks on one occasion. That compares to 18.4% heavy drinkers in Ontario. (Canadian Community Health Survey)
Note that Statistics Canada reports that 19.1% of Canadians aged 12 and older engage in heavy drinking, making it a growing concern.
There is little data about demographics. However, we know males in S-L who are aged 20 – 24, are single, smoke and say their mental health is fair to poor, are more likely to drink alcohol.
80% of S-L’s homeless report difficulties with substance use, according to the Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team. Two-thirds live with mental health challenges.
In an average year, alcohol use in Sarnia-Lambton is responsible for an estimated 56 deaths, 250 hospitalizations and 2247 emergency department visits for people age 15 and over. This takes into account health conditions such as some cancers, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, digestive conditions, neuropsychiatric conditions, communicable diseases, diabetes, and injuries that are worsened by alcohol consumption.
The Canadian Mental Health Association’s position is that affordable housing for people living with mental health and addictions is a minimum requirement. However, about 300 individuals and families are consistently on the homelessness or housing insecurity wait list. About 1,000 households are on the centralized waiting list.
A 2021 study indicates S-L needs 2,490 additional affordable housing units. The wait for a rent-geared-to-income unit is approximately four years, according to Lambton County social services. Updated housing stats are expected later in 2026.

Tim Heath, project manager at 210 Lochiel St., a new drop-in centre with comprehensive services for homelessness and addiction.

SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT

S-L opioid-related deaths are on the decline from 43 recorded in 2020 during the isolation of the pandemic, to 35 in 2024, the most recent year stats are available.
S-L’s decrease in opioid deaths reflects that many local organizations have prioritized work on opioid use, says Jordan Banninga, manager of health promotions at Lambton Public Health. He is also co-chair of the Lambton Drug & Alcohol Strategy founded in 2023. Initiatives like the distribution of Naloxone kits are working, said Banninga.
A decrease in opioid-related deaths in S-L, mirrors the national trend.
S-L Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is responding to significantly fewer calls for opioid poisoning. In 2021, EMS attended 301 such calls. In 2025, EMS attended 194.
The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network reports the rate of individuals who are prescribed opioid therapy (OAT such as methadone and Suboxone) is higher in Lambton than the province, though this is starting to decline slightly. In 2020, the rate of OAT was 9.83 per 1,000 in Lambton. In 2024, the rate of OAT decreased to 9.01 per 1,000 in Lambton.
Emergency Department visits for opioid-related poisonings in Lambton is similar to what we see in Ontario and have been declining. 2024: Lambton 76.8 per 100,000; Ontario 77.1 per 100,000, according to Lambton Public Health. • Seven affordable housing projects are at various stages in S-L. If all are completed, about 250 new affordable units will be available.

Where to find help

Alcoholics Anonymous – 519-337-5211 www.aasarnialambton.com
Narcotics Anonymous – 1-800-573-0920 www.orscna.org
Canadian Mental Health Lambton Kent – 519-337-5411 www.lambtonkent.cmha.ca
24/7 Canadian Mental Health Crisis Line – 519-336-3445 or 1-800-307-4319
Drug Addiction Hotline – 1-800-721-3232
Distress Line (Family Counselling Centre) – 519-336-3000
Bluewater Health Community Addiction Support – outpatient and walk-in services, crisis intervention, counselling, treatment referrals, for people in Sarnia-Lambton who struggle with substance abuse. Phone 519-332-4673 or email possible@bluewaterhealth.ca. Location: Bluewater Health, Level 6, Russell Building, 89 Norman St. Sarnia.
Bluewater Health Acute Withdrawal Management – includes inpatient, 7-bed unit for detox for three – five days. Self referral. Counselling. 24/7 519-464-4487
Bluewater Health Ryan’s House Stabilization Facility, a second-stage withdrawal management facility. Offers 12 beds for men and women over 16 to stay up to one month for early recovery following detox. 306 Exmouth St. Sarnia.
HART (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) Hub – recently opened in Sarnia. Two locations. 30-bed residential facility (up to 18 months) considered the third stage for recovery in Sarnia-Lambton, following detox and Ryan’s House. 275 Wellington St. (formerly SCITS high school).
HART Hub drop-in at 210 Lochiel St. offers recovery support services, showers, laundry, a kitchen, health care referrals, help finding housing, employment, and mental health supports.
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 9-8-8 (call or text)
Community Health Integrated Care (CHIC Team) Daily, on-scene interventions, rapid response, withdrawal management.
MobileCare – Community Health Outreach. Travels across urban and rural S-L with free, walk in services. No appointment required. Primary care, mental health care, addictions services, withdrawal management services and referrals. 1-866-299-7447. www.sl.mobilecareclinic.ca.
Bluewater Methadone Clinic S-L at 118 Victoria St. in Sarnia. 519-337-5000.
Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point Health Services for mental health and addictions at 6275 Indian Lane, Lambton Shores. 519-786-5647.
Youth Wellness Hub – 190 Front St. for ages 12 – 25 and their families. Crisis/Walk in support, case management, psychotherapy, peer support, addiction services, nurse practitioner, drop in activity groups, fitness activities, family support, housing support and vocational services. 519-491-1466
Redpath (Inn of the Good Shepherd on John St. Sarnia) Addictions treatment using an Indigenous specific model. Clinical and cultural approaches in a group setting. Call 519-344-1746 ext. 338.
Lambton College personal and mental health counselling – available free to all full and part-time students.