The number of people in Windsor-Essex who have died of an opioid overdose in 2018 shows a sharp increase from the previous year.
Statistics from Public Health Ontario show 48 people died in 2018.
That is the highest total ever recorded in the region, and is higher than the 36 deaths in Windsor-Essex in 2017.
Officials say that number may rise as three other deaths are still being investigated and are currently listed as probable opioid-related deaths.
The trend is alarming to Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed.
He agrees the issue is complex and none of the solutions that have been developed so far have been fully successful.
"We are all struggling to find the answers, and we are doing, trying new innovative ways to act wherever we can act on and to find something that works for our community,” says Dr. Ahmed.
He adds one of the significant problems is that victims aren't aware the drug they're taking contains an opioid.
"In most of these cases, when we are talking about accidental overdose, people may not even be aware of what they're consuming,” says Dr. Ahmed. “There are other drugs that are often laced with a more potent drug such as fentanyl because fentanyl was implicated in many of these opioid related deaths. So they may not even be aware of what they're consuming."
Dr. Ahmed tells AM800 News it has to be recognized addiction is a mental health issue, but the resources are also limited.
"There would be some individuals that would be saying if they're addicted, 'yeah, OK, I'm ready to quit find me a rehab bed or find me a treatment service I'll just go right now' and then we are limited by what are the beds available right now, what's the current wait time in accessing those services."
Dr. Ahmed says the health unit is still in the process of completing an application for a safe injection site.
He says the requirements from the province have raised the bar and meeting them all is a challenge.
The Windsor Overdose Prevention Society continues to push for safe injection sites in the city.
The WOPS opened overdose prevention sites in undisclosed locations after the overdose death of 17-year-old Josh Chouinard last month.
Mayor Drew Dilkens and Police Chief Al Frederick do not support safe injection sites, but they both suggest a decision to open one in Windsor is up to the provincial government.
Last year, the Chair of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Gary McNamara, said he supported a site. But he also noted the province has capped the number allowed across Ontario at 21.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has a link on their website for available information and assistance if you or someone you know is in need of addiction support and treatment.
Overall, statistics show 1,022 people died of opioid overdoses in Ontario over the first nine months of 2018.
In 2017, a total of 1,261 people died from an opioid overdose -- an increase from 2016, when 867 people died.