Opioid Overdose Deaths Rise Among Homeless in Thunder Bay Area
The city of Thunder Bay and the surrounding region saw a big increase in the number of homeless people who died from opioid overdoses in 2024, according to recent data.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit shared information with researchers for a community report about homelessness. It showed that 31 people who were homeless died from opioid overdoses in 2024. Across the whole region, there were 86 deaths from opioids that year, according to the Ontario Office of the Chief Coroner.
Adena Miller, an expert from the health unit, said that people who are homeless are more affected by drug use.
“But it’s important to remember that not all homeless people use drugs,” she said. “And not everyone who uses drugs is homeless. We have to be careful not to make unfair assumptions.”
In comparison, 17 homeless people died from opioid overdoses in 2022. In 2023, the number dropped to 8. That year, there were 84 total opioid deaths in the region.
Thunder Bay had the highest rate of opioid deaths again in 2024.
“It’s more than just numbers,” Miller said. “These are people who had families and were part of our community. This shows how serious the opioid crisis is here.”
She added that the community needs to work together to solve this problem, along with the other issues mentioned in the homelessness report.
Experts say more support is needed for people recovering from addiction.
Miller said it’s hard to know why the number of deaths jumped in 2024, but health officials have some ideas.
“Each time we look at the data, we see more deaths involving fentanyl or similar drugs,” she said. In 2024, fentanyl or a related substance was found in 90% of the overdose deaths in the Thunder Bay area. That’s even higher than the provincial average of 83%.
She said this might be due to more dangerous and unpredictable drugs being sold on the street. “Just because fentanyl is found doesn’t mean people knew they were taking it.”
Kyle Arnold, who works with people in recovery and is part of the Long Lake 58 First Nation, said more harmful chemicals are also showing up in drugs. These include things like animal tranquilizers and cow de-worming medicine.
Arnold said these substances can change how overdoses look and how treatments like Naloxone work.
Miller also said many homeless people use drugs alone, which makes overdoses more dangerous.
“If no one is around, there’s no one to call for help or give Naloxone if something goes wrong,” she said.
