CCENDU Issue 6: Recent Trends in Opioid-Related Toxicity Deaths in Canada: Examining a Potential Decrease

Raadiya Malam, Samantha King

  • Opioids
  • Drug Supply
  • Data
  • Fentanyl
Map of Canada with icon of a magnifying glass circling a data trend.

About this newsletter

This issue features a regional breakdown of reports from six CCENDU sites and three drug checking services across the country. It focuses on the potential drivers of the national decrease in opioid-related toxicity deaths from 2023 to 2024, and includes high-level trends seen in early 2025.

Three key points of interest you will find in this document:

In all regions across Canada: 

  • The overall number of deaths remains very high.
  • Differences in death rates exist among communities.
  • Some provinces and territories are seeing consistent increases or renewed increases following a period of decline.  
     

Related Authors

Raadiya Malam, MPH

Research and Policy Analyst

Area of Expertise

  • Cannabis
  • Drug Supply
  • Substance Use Costs
Read more

Samantha King, PhD

Research and Policy Analyst

Area of Expertise

  • Alcohol
  • Mental Health
  • Opioids
Read more

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