London is one of the hardest-hit cities in Ontario when it comes to substance use and addiction — and the data reflects it. In 2024, the Middlesex-London region recorded approximately 72 opioid-related deaths and nearly 500 opioid-related poisoning emergency department visits, according to the Middlesex-London Health Unit. Critically, the rate of opioid deaths and hospitalizations in Middlesex-London consistently exceeds the provincial average when adjusted for population — a pattern that has persisted for years, according to the region’s medical officer of health.
Fentanyl remains the primary driver of fatal overdoses, with a toxic and unpredictable street supply that continues to claim lives across the city. Stimulants are also increasingly present in overdose cases.
Beyond opioids, alcohol, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and prescription drug misuse affect tens of thousands of London-area residents each year, cutting across income levels, neighbourhoods, and demographics.
The public treatment system is under enormous pressure. The average wait time for a publicly funded treatment program in Ontario is approximately 42 days — and that’s before accounting for the time needed to see a specialist. For someone who has found the courage to ask for help, waiting more than a month is not just frustrating — it can be dangerous. Recovery windows are fragile, and private treatment allows you to act on them immediately.