Overdose-related calls are up: Waterloo Paramedic Services

The number of overdose related calls has increased by 17 per cent compared to 2017, but the number of naloxone administered by Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services has dropped by 67 per cent.

The Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy (WRIDS)  released the numbers Wednesday in their fifth overdose bulletin.

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Between January and March 2018, paramedics responded to 184 opioid overdose-related calls compared to the 157 calls at the same time last year.

"We know we're on a similar trajectory as we were last year in terms of overdose related calls," Lindsay Sprague, Coordinator of WRIDS told CBC News.

In April 2018, that number increased to 242, up 13 calls from 2017, but then saw a drop in May, where only 258 calls were made compared to 284 calls in 2017.

Last year, paramedics responded to 797 overdose related calls.

'More public use of naloxone'

Even though the number of calls increased this year, paramedics only administered naloxone 18 times between January and March, compared to 55 times in 2017.

Rob Crossan, deputy chief for Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services, said paramedics use naloxone as a last resort when responding to an opioid overdose related call.

Paramedics focus on other forms of support such as respiratory aid and getting patients into treatment by getting them to a hospital.

But, he said, the main reason behind the high drop relates to the community having naloxone at hand.

"We are seeing more public use of naloxone prior to arrival," Crossan said.

During the months of January and March, 1,308 naloxone kits were distributed to the public. 

EMS saw an increase of six more naloxone administrations in April and another five in May, bringing the total to 29 so far this year.

Paramedics administered naloxone 144 times in 2017.

Young demographic

The report adds that 54 per cent of opioid overdose related calls and 52 per cent of naloxone administrations were for people aged 20 to 34. 

"That's really what we've seen since we've started monitoring the opioid issue," Crossan said.

Individuals who either witness or experience an overdose are also asked to complete the Overdose Monitoring, Alert, and Response System (OMARS) survey.

Fentanyl was suspected in 74 per cent of the fatal and non-fatal overdoses reported through OMARS between January and March.