The Opioid Overdose Crisis in Ontario as a Public Health Emergency

The pandemic has contributed to a rise in opioid-related deaths and has worsened the tragic impacts of the opioid overdose crisis. The pandemic has also shown us what we can accomplish when we come together to address a significant public health crisis as a unified system. This presentation by Matthew Anderson, President and CEO, Ontario Health, and Dirk Huyer, Chief Coroner for Ontario, outlines the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid-related deaths, shares examples of extraordinary efforts in Ontario’s pandemic response, and discusses what could be accomplished for the opioid crisis.