Police in Greater Sudbury are sounding the alarm after new statistics revealed a dramatic surge in drug-impaired driving incidents across the city. The data, released in December 2025, shows a troubling year-over-year increase that has law enforcement and community leaders deeply concerned.
A Sharp Rise in Drug-Related Impairments
Sudbury Police Chief Sara Cunningham stated that the number of drug-related driving impairments stood out as particularly alarming. According to the official figures, police made 109 arrests for drug-impaired driving in 2025. This represents a massive 58 per cent jump from the 69 similar arrests recorded in the previous year, 2024.
The Chief emphasized that this is not just a statistical blip but a clear and worrying trend. The data underscores a growing problem on Greater Sudbury's roads, where drivers under the influence of drugs are posing a significant risk to public safety. The police force has been ramping up its training and enforcement capabilities to detect drug impairment, which may partly explain the increased detection rate, but also points to a potentially larger underlying issue.
Enforcement and Community Response
In response to the rising numbers, Greater Sudbury Police have likely intensified their traffic enforcement efforts, including the use of standardized field sobriety tests and Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). These officers are specially trained to identify drivers impaired by substances other than, or in addition to, alcohol.
The significant increase from 69 to 109 cases suggests that the problem is becoming more prevalent, requiring continued vigilance and potentially new strategies from law enforcement. Community safety advocates are urging for greater public awareness about the severe legal consequences and deadly risks associated with driving after consuming drugs, whether they are illicit substances or misused prescription medications.
Broader Implications for Northern Ontario
While the data is specific to Greater Sudbury, such a sharp increase may reflect broader trends across Northern Ontario and the province. Drugged driving poses unique challenges for law enforcement, as impairment can be harder to detect at roadside than alcohol intoxication, and the effects of different drugs vary widely.
The 58 per cent increase serves as a stark reminder that road safety campaigns must continue to evolve to address drug impairment with the same urgency as drunk driving. As cannabis legalization and the complexity of the drug landscape continue, educational initiatives and consistent enforcement will be critical to reversing this dangerous trend.
The release of these statistics in December 2025 provides a sobering look at the state of road safety as the year concludes, prompting calls for renewed focus on prevention and enforcement in the year ahead to protect all road users in the Greater Sudbury community.
