Harm reduction workers in Ottawa say they're reeling from a "devastating" near-doubling of opioid-related deaths stemming from a toxic drug supply exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. But the actual number of drug overdose deaths may be much higher, as the coroner suspects overdoses caused 95 other deaths last year. In Ottawa, 70 per cent of the opioid-related deaths were among men, the figures from OPH show. Rob Boyd runs harm prevention programs at the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre and says the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to an increasingly dangerous street drug supply. Drug analysis by the health authority indicated the presence of fentanyl, carfentanil, and benzodiazepine analogues in the local drug supply.

Source: CBC News May 20, 2021 07:52 UTC