Note: Preliminary data for 2020 and 2021; contains confirmed and probable cases.
Source: Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, extracted from the Public Health Ontario Interactive Opioid Tool, April 18, 2022.

Hamilton Opioid Information System - Deaths
Opioid-related deaths are increasing annually in Hamilton.
In 2021:
- As of December, 165 Hamilton deaths are probable or confirmed to be opioid related.
Previous years:
- 2020: 127 Hamilton deaths are probable or confirmed to be opioid related.
- 2019: 106 Hamilton deaths are probable or confirmed to be opioid related.
In 2018:
- 125 confirmed opioid-related deaths in the City of Hamilton.
- The confirmed deaths represent a 40% increase over the same period last year (88 deaths).
- Between 2016 (52) and 2017 (88) , there was a 66% increase in the opioid-related death rates.
Note that probable deaths are those for which the investigation to determine cause of death is ongoing.
How Hamilton compares
Between 2005 and 2021, Hamilton had a higher rate of opioid-related deaths when compared to the provincal average.
- In 2021, Hamilton's opioid-related death rate was 47% higher than the provincial rate.
- In 2020, Hamilton's opioid-related death rate was 30% higher than the provincial rate.
- In 2019, Hamilton's opioid-related death rate was 74% higher than the provincial rate. A decrease in opioid-related death rate was noted from 2018 to 2019 in Hamilton.
- In 2018, Hamilton's opioid-related death rate was 111% higher than or more than double the provincial rate.
- In 2017, Hamilton's opioid-related death rate was 69% higher than the provincial rate.
For more information about opioid-related deaths in Ontario, view the Public Health Ontario's Interactive Opioid Tool.
Source: Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, extracted from the Public Health Ontario Interactive Opioid Tool, May 11, 2022.
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