Overdoses Rise During COVID Isolation – CBC

CBC reporter, Bryce Hoye, takes a look at alarming statistics that indicate a spike in overdoses in Manitoba during the COVID isolation period.

Aurora’s Ian Rabb discussed some of the disturbing trends with Bryce saying, “We haven’t had an overdose surge like this probably for two years.”

In the article, the Manitoba chief medical examiner’s office said they wouldn’t have any official data for overdoses until later this year, but input from addiction services workers and 911 call data from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service tell a scary story.

According to the article, there was a 66% increase in emergency calls regarding crystal meth and opioid issues during April and May of 2020.

In that same time period, paramedics reported having to use Naloxone, the opioid overdose antidote, 70% more.

Read the full CBC article, ‘Alarming’ signs of pandemic overdose spike emerge in Winnipeg.