Opioid crisis eases in Canada, but Quebec numbers soared in 2024: new reports

By The Canadian Press

Opioid-related deaths, emergency room visits, hospitalizations and emergency medical services interventions were all down during the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to new data released Monday on opioid overdoses in Canada.

However, there were still an average of 21 deaths per day, for a total of 3,787 apparent opioid-related deaths.

While that’s down 11 per cent from 2023, Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks said rates remain “at extremely high levels.”

According to the data, the most accidental deaths related to opioid poisoning occurred in Alberta (622 deaths) and Ontario (1,258 deaths). British Columbia is also one of the most affected provinces with 1,200 deaths related to illicit drug use (not just opioids and stimulants).

Quebec ranked fourth with 319 deaths, which includes all deaths related to drug or opioid poisoning, not just those involving opioids or stimulants. When the rate is reduced to per 100,000 inhabitants, the province has better results and finds itself in the middle of the pack.

Also, a new report from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) showed that opioids or other drug related deaths increased by 33 per cent in Quebec.

Two Quebecers die each day from an overdose, and the number of ER visits for possible opioid poisoning increased by 38 per cent between January and September 2024 – compared to the same period last year.

The INSPQ noted that 2024 saw the most recorded overdoses in Quebec.

A more positive record was also broken this year in Quebec – 35,357 naloxone kits were distributed to the public between January and September.

Naloxone is an antidote that can prevent cardiopulmonary arrest caused by an overdose of opioids, like fentanyl, by being sprayed into the victim’s nose.

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 showed that the country has seen a “substantially higher number of deaths and other harms associated with opioids since national surveillance 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 increased by 106 per cent since 2018, but it has stabilized in recent years.

Out of all the accidental deaths related to opioid poisoning from January to June 2024, 79 per cent involved fentanyl – a 39 per cent increase since 2016. During the same period, 65 per cent of deaths also had traces of a stimulant.

Fentanyl was also implicated in one-third of opioid poisoning hospitalizations in Canada but for the first six months of the year, there were 2,846 opioid poisoning hospitalizations – which is 10 per cent lower than in 2023.

Saks, who is also associate health minister responsible for the toxic illegal drug crisis and overdoses, said in a written statement that “all levels of government and communities must work together on solutions.”

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem. We must continue to invest in evidence-based measures including prevention, harm reduction, enforcement, treatment, and recovery. Addiction has many faces. People struggling with addiction need access to a range of supports and health care services.”

Preliminary data from 2024 also show that most accidental deaths apparently linked to opioid poisoning occurred in men (72 per cent) and amongst people aged 30 to 39 (30 per cent).

The Canadian Press’ health content is funded through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. Editorial choices are solely the responsibility of The Canadian Press.

-With files from La Presse Canadienne

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