From Roads to Recovery: A Supplement of The Independent Petrolia and Central Lambton
Public health officials from a myriad of local organizations and agencies admit there is fairly extensive data reflecting addiction's devastating impacts, and not many statistics about recovery. However, from what little is available, the stats show that Sarnia-Lambton may be starting to turn the corner on the prevalence and damage of drug abuse.
ADDICTION
The Lambton Health Unit reports:
- Since 2019, opioid-related deaths in Sarnia-Lambton (S-L) have been higher than the Ontario average.
- The only data available related to how prevalent opioid use is in S-L comes from local physicians. In 2024, 15,833 individuals received opioid prescriptions for pain treatment. Another 1,227 individuals received prescriptions for opioid withdrawal drugs such as methadone and Suboxone.
- The Centre of Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto is Canada's largest mental health and teaching hospital. The CAMH says Canada is in the midst of an unprecedented opioid crisis driven largely by the toxicity and unpredictability of fentanyl. An estimated 7,000 Canadians die each year from opioid-related overdoses and many more struggle with addiction.
- Across Ontario and Lambton County, opioid-related deaths surged in 2020. Since then, rates have stabilized but remain high. The unregulated drug supply has become increasingly contaminated, according to the CAMH.
- One in five S-L residents knows someone in their immediate circle who has overdosed, according to Lambton Public Health.
- S-L has more regular and heavy drinkers than the provincial average. In S-L, 65.7% say they are regular drinkers, meaning they drink once a month or more. That compares to 54.4% in Ontario; In S-L, 29% say they are heavy drinkers, meaning they drink four (female) and five (male) drinks on one occasion. That compares to 18.4% heavy drinkers in Ontario. (Canadian Community Health Survey)
- Note that Statistics Canada reports that 19.1% of Canadians aged 12 and older engage in heavy drinking, making it a growing concern.
- There is little data about demographics. However, we know males in S-L who are aged 20-24, are single, smoke and say their mental health is fair to poor, are more likely to drink alcohol.
- 80% of S-L's homeless report difficulties with substance use, according to the Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team. Two-thirds live with mental health challenges.
- In an average year, alcohol use in Sarnia-Lambton is responsible for an estimated 56 deaths, 250 hospitalizations and 2247 emergency department visits for people age 15 and over. This takes into account health conditions such as some cancers, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, digestive conditions, neuropsychiatric conditions, communicable diseases, diabetes, and injuries that are worsened by alcohol consumption.
- The Canadian Mental Health Association's position is that affordable housing for people living with mental health and addictions is a minimum requirement. However, about 300 individuals and families are consistently on the homelessness or housing insecurity wait list. About 1,000 households are on the centralized waiting list.
- A 2021 study indicates S-L needs 2,490 additional affordable housing units. The wait for a rent-geared-to-income unit is approximately four years, according to Lambton County social services. Updated housing stats are expected later in 2026.
SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT
- S-L opioid-related deaths are on the decline from 43 recorded in 2020 during the isolation of the pandemic, to 35 in 2024, the most recent year stats are available.
- S-L's decrease in opioid deaths reflects that many local organizations have prioritized work on opioid use, says Jordan Banninga, manager of health promotions at Lambton Public Health. He is also co-chair of the Lambton Drug & Alcohol Strategy founded in 2023. Initiatives like the distribution of Naloxone kits are working, said Banninga.
- A decrease in opioid-related deaths in S-L. mirrors the national trend.
- S-L Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is responding to significantly fewer calls for opioid poisoning. In 2021. EMS attended 301 such calls. In 2025, EMS attended 194.
- The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network reports the rate of individuals who are prescribed opioid therapy (OAT such as methadone and Suboxone) is higher in Lambton than the province, though this is starting to decline slightly. In 2020, the rate of OAT was 9.83 per 1,000 in Lambton. In 2024, the rate of OAT decreased to 9.01 per 1,000 in Lambton.
- Emergency Department visits for opioid-related poisonings in Lambton is similar to what we see in Ontario and have been declining. 2024: Lambton 76.8 per 100,000; Ontario 77.1 per 100.000, according to Lambton Public Health.
- Seven affordable housing projects are at various stages in S-L. If all are completed, about 250 new affordable units will be available.
