New data released by the Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid Overdoses shows that the opioid crisis claimed over 1,000 Canadian lives in the first three months of 2018.
What’s more, the data reveals that 94 per cent of these deaths were accidental. In addition, opioid-related deaths during this period increased by five per cent compared to the same time period in 2017. Further, it increased 44 per cent compared to the same time period in 2016.
The data also reveals that British Columbia had the highest number of drug-related deaths in the country; these deaths include all illicit drugs, and are not limited to opioids. The province saw 390 deaths compared to 320 in Ontario, despite having a far lower population.
"We continue to see an unprecedented number of opioid-related overdoses in Canada," Dr. Theresa Tam said in a joint statement with Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer and Tam's co-chair of a special advisory committee on the crisis.
"The loss of life is tremendous and this national public health crisis continues to devastate the health and lives of many Canadians, their families and their communities."
Individuals between the ages of 30 and 39 also represent the highest number of accidental apparent opioid-related deaths with 27 per cent of fatalities. Furthermore, most accidental apparent opioid-related deaths occurred among males with 77 per cent of fatalities.
The data also reveals that most accidental apparent opioid-related deaths involved fentanyl or fentanyl analogues.
"We will continue to examine all available evidence to better understand the evolving trends of this crisis and to adjust our response efforts," said Tam and Strang in their statement.
The statistics are provided by the provinces as well as territories that collect data from their respective offices of Chief Coroners or Medical Examiners. As such, some provinces are not counted in this report. For example, Manitoba’s information was not available at the time of the publication, and therefore its findings could affect the current statistics.
Rates are calculated using the most current population data from Statistics Canada, and will likely change as more data becomes available.
– Elana Shepert, Vancouver is Awesome. With files from Canadian Press.
