Northern Ontario continues to lose its vulnerable population to toxic poisoning or overdose from opioids and other substances.
Public Health Ontario has now proven through data that the pandemic had a catastrophic effect on those struggling with substance addiction. Of the 10 municipalities that have the highest mortality rates from opioids (called “census subdivisions” in the report), four are in Northern Ontario. Thunder Bay in the top spot, with Sudbury sliding from one to two this year, followed by Timmins and North Bay. In spot six, Sault Ste. Marie, just behind Peterborough.
But progress is progress, and it is important to note that the work being done in the city to manage the crisis means that the numbers are going down from 2021. But more than that, each number represents a human being, and that is central to the success of any initiative.
That’s the reminder that Amber Fritz, manager of the supervised consumption site in the city told Sudbury.com in an interview just after usage numbers.
Since it opened Sept. 28, the site has seen 126 visits from 69 unique visitors, and reversed three overdoses linked to the drug-poisoning crisis. Usage per capita is on par with provincial averages and in some instances surpasses figures from other sites.
“What could have happened if those three individuals hadn't come to the site,” said Fritz at the time. “There's a distinct possibility that they may no longer be alive, isn't that not in and of itself worth it?”
Fritz said that while they would like the site to be busier, there are mitigating factors.
“This is a newer service: we've been open for less than three months and this has never been done, in this format, here in this community,” she said. “Those 126 visits? That's 126 times someone was safe, 126 times that someone was cared for and afforded the dignity that they deserve. That's 126 connections that were made. That's 126 times someone was loved and supported.”
The site, the result of several years work by the Sudbury Community Drug Strategy, is located in Energy Court, off Lorne Street and is currently two trailers put together, with the entrance on one side and the exit on the other. Those who wish to use the site bring their own substances and check in with the social services or harm reduction workers there.
Each cubicle looks onto a mirror to help the substance user inject cleanly, providing a measure of privacy. Not total privacy though, as harm-reduction workers can clearly see individuals as they use and can then intervene if there is an issue with drug toxicity, meaning the substance the person is using is not what they believed it was and therefore they could not accurately judge dose, rather than simply taking too much.
It’s an important piece in the harm reduction strategy being employed in Sudbury to keep it’s citizens alive. And until the number of deaths is zero, or as close to that number as possible, each year on Aug., 31, Sudbury will honour those who died and those who grieve.
Observed annually, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) seeks to create better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.
In an interview with Réseau ACCESS Network’s director of peer engagement, Kaela Pelland told Sudbury.com that it’s not just the issues with addiction that challenge her work, but systemic issues as well. Pelland said the issue is the result of “a drug policy that is directly linked to drug prohibition.”
Pelland told Sudbury.com that in addition to toxic street supply (that is illegal drugs cut with an adulterant that can make them more deadly), systems that have treatment and policy built around “moralism”; the practice of moralizing, especially showing a tendency to make judgments about others' morality, are largely unsuccessful.
She notes that there are many people who are able to use substances, including opioids, in a healthy way and function well or even thrive in their day to day life.
“It's been decades and decades of blaming the person who uses drugs, blaming the marginalized community for being where they are, for being who they are, when in reality, this structure is built for that.”
She added that more than anything, there needs to be more listening to the vulnerable populations themselves.
“At the end of the day, who better to decide what the community needs than the community itself? It's not up to us to control them anymore. We need to follow their lead.”
Until then, it seems Greater Sudbury, and Northern Ontario, will struggle with the crisis for at least another year. But again, it is important to see the humanity behind the crisis, behind the numbers.
“Overdose can affect anybody and one of the messages of this day is that the people who overdose are our children, parents, siblings, friends, family, and community,” said Pelland. “They are loved, and they are missed.”
Jenny Lamothe is a reporter with Sudbury.com. She covers the diverse communities of Sudbury, especially the vulnerable or marginalized, including the Black, Indigenous, newcomer and Francophone communities, as well as 2SLGBTQ+ and issues of the downtown core.
