Opioid crisis-related deaths falling, but still 'extremely high'

Deaths, emergency room visits, hospitalizations and emergency medical service interventions are all down for the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to the latest drug overdose data. opioid in Canada, unveiled Monday.

However, an average of 21 deaths per day were recorded, for a total of 3,787 deaths apparently linked to opioid poisoning. Although this is 11% lower than in 2023, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Ya'ara Saks estimates the rates remain at extremely high levels.

Data indicates that most accidental deaths apparently linked to opioid poisoning occurred in Alberta (622 deaths) and Ontario (1258 deaths). British Columbia is also one of the most affected provinces with 1,200 deaths linked to the use of illicit drugs (not just opioids and stimulants).

Quebec ranks fourth with 319 deaths, which includes all deaths linked to drug or opioid intoxication, not just those involving opioids or stimulants. When we reduce the rate per 100,000 inhabitants, the province performs better and finds itself in the middle of the pack.

In the Atlantic provinces, there were 19 deaths in New Brunswick, 38 in Nova Scotia, 5 in Prince Edward Island and 23 in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The federal government's data report highlights that the country has seen a number substantially higher deaths and other harms associated with opioids since national monitoring began in 2016 by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Between January 2016 and June 2024, a total of 49,105 deaths apparently linked to opioid poisoning were recorded in the country.

The percentage of all opioid poisoning hospitalizations involving fentanyl and its analogues has increased by 106% since 2018. The report notes that this appears to have stabilized in recent years.

The scourge of fentanyl

Fentanyl is a real scourge in the fight against overdoses. Of all accidental deaths apparently linked to opioid poisoning that occurred from January to June 2024, 79% involved fentanyl; an increase of 39% since 2016. For the same period, 65% of deaths also had a trace of a stimulant.

Fentanyl and its analogues have been implicated in a third of hospitalizations for opioid poisoning in Canada. For the first six months of the year, 2,846 hospitalizations were recorded for opioid poisoning, a rate 10% lower than in 2023.

Ms. Saks, who is also associate minister of health focusing on the toxic illegal drug crisis and overdoses, argued in a written statement that all levels of government and communities must collaborate on solutions.

There is no universal solution to this problem. We must continue to invest in evidence-based measures, including prevention, risk reduction, enforcement, treatment and recovery. Addiction has many faces. People with addictions need access to a range of supports and health care servicessaid Ms. Saks.

Preliminary data from 2024 also shows that most accidental deaths apparently linked to opioid poisoning occurred in men (72%).