The latest opioids report from the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit (CKPHU) shows overdose EMS (paramedic) calls have dropped significantly compared to the previous month.
Chatham-Kent (CK) Public Health reported paramedics responded to 25 suspected opioid overdose calls in March, a 32 per cent decrease from the previous month. The health unit reported a total of 98 suspected opioid overdose EMS calls until the end of March.
According to the health unit, January and February had the highest monthly volumes of opioid overdose EMS calls since 2019 when tracking began.
There were also four non-opioid overdose calls reported, according to public health officials.
Emergency Department (ED) opioid overdose visits also dropped by 4 per cent in March, with 25 visits reported that month.
Despite the reduction, Chatham-Kent Public Health said the rate of ED opioid overdose visits remains "substantially" higher (65 per 100,000) than the provincial rate (17.1 per 100,000) so far this year after three months of data.
Public health officials also reported four suspected deaths related to all drugs in March and 14 during the first three months of 2026 (12.1 per 100,000). That's also higher than the provincial rate (3.9 per 100,000).
There were also nine confirmed or probable opioid overdose deaths from October to December, which also exceed the Ontario rate (13.1 per 100,000 in CK compared to 8.5 per 100,000 in ON), noted CKPHU. CK Public Health said the three month data is the most recent due to a lag in reporting because toxicology testing and coroner investigations take longer to complete.
"Overall, EMS calls and ED visits declined in March compared to February; however, these findings continue to highlight ongoing risks related to the local drug supply and persistent pressure on emergency services in Chatham-Kent," said CK Public Health.
