Although the use of opioids like fentanyl has decreased across Niagara during the past year, use of methamphetamine appears to be filling the gap.

"We're certainly seeing an increase in crystal meth use in Niagara, there's no two ways about it. You could see it sort of creeping in the last year or so, actually," said Glen Walker, co-chair of the Overdose Prevention Network of Niagara (OPENN).

He said use of meth is also evident at the region's overdose prevention site in St. Catharines - established last year in response to the disproportionately high number of fentanyl overdoses the region was experiencing.

"At our consumption treatment service, we're seeing more people using crystal meth," he said. "I think that trend is certainly creeping into Niagara."

Walker, however, said he doesn't believe methamphetamine use has reached the same levels as it has in Hamilton - where the city's public health department reported a 1,110 per cent increase in meth-related emergency department visits since 2012.

The increase in hospital visits among meth users has led to plans to double the size of the emergency psychiatric department at St. Joseph's Healthcare, for a total of 20 beds.

"I don't think we're at that point yet," Walker said.

Niagara associate medical officer of health Dr. Andrea Feller said she did not have up-to-date statistics regarding local emergency department visits related to meth use.

But OPENN, she added, is studying shifts in drug use in Niagara, looking for trends such as people opting to use meth as opposed to opioids, because they feel it's less dangerous.

But Walker said meth overdoses are also increasing in Niagara, "although they're quite different than an overdose from an opioid."

Meth overdoses result in dramatic heart and respiration rate increases.

"Quite often what we find is people collapse, just simply because their hearts are going 180 or 200 beats per minute. It can get really crazy in terms of putting people at physical risk."

It also creates challenges due to psychosis related to the drug, with users often experiencing delusions and paranoia.

And unlike opioids, he said naloxone will have no effect on meth overdoses.

Feller said the increased use of meth is an indication that organizations within the region "need to double down our efforts."

"We need to work even harder now, because it's not as if the problem has gone away," she said. "We are seeing, from what I understand from our partners, much more of a shift to crystal meth."

At St. Joseph's hospital in Hamilton, the project to increase the size of the Charlton Avenue emergency psychiatric ward is expected to cost $6-million, and is expected to be completed by the winter of 2021.

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The ward is too cramped to handle the influx of such patients in proximity to others who may be in hospital with depression or suicidal ideations, says Holly Raymond, clinical director of general psychiatry.

"You have someone in the next room to you banging and screaming. Obviously, that person's in a lot of pain, but it's not going to be conducive to your healing. It's also frightening," Raymond said.

"This is really why we need to have a flexible level of support that addresses a whole continuum of patient needs," she said.

Withdrawal from methamphetamine "boomerangs," she said. A patient may seem settled, but the psychosis can re-emerge hours later.

"Maybe that person has been discharged to a shelter by then and then they're not in the (emergency department)."

With files by Hamilton Spectator

Allan.Benner@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1629 | @abenner1

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