Health Canada has called the opioid crisis one of the most serious public health crises in Canada’s recent history.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reports significantly increased numbers of opioid-related deaths and other harms across Canada.
Health Canada data suggest that a notable percentage of overdose cases involved a combination of substances, with opioids implicated in 81 per cent of incidents.
Specifically, 65 per cent of cases involved cocaine, while methamphetamines were present in 55 per cent of incidents.
The toxicity of the illegal drug supply continues to be a major driver of the overdose crisis, with over 80 per cent of opioid-related deaths involving fentanyl and fentanyl analogues.
Reports suggest that the rise in opioid-related harms may be due to changes in the illegal drug supply, decreased access to support services, and increased substance use as a coping mechanism.
Belleville, Ont., declared a state of emergency on Feb. 9, 2023, following a surge in overdoses, prompting urgent calls for federal and provincial assistance.
Mayor Neil Ellis in a media statement on the city website said “Our emergency services, health care system, and municipal resources are stretched to the limits. We need serious support from higher levels of government.”
The Belleville Police Service had reported 17 overdose cases in 24 hours, with 13 occurring within an hour and a half on the afternoon of Feb. 6, in the downtown area. The city has a population of 60,525.
Ellis urged the province and federal government for assistance, highlighting the urgent need for action, and encouraged other municipalities facing similar issues to seek support.
Emergency Medical Services responded to more than 20,000 suspected opioid overdoses, with the majority involving males aged 20 to 49.
The Health Canada Media Relations Office told Humber News the majority of deaths attributed to accidental apparent opioid toxicity in Canada during the first half of 2023 were concentrated in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.
They said elevated mortality rates have also been observed in other areas with smaller population sizes.
Anirudh Murali, a security specialist at a safe-use site said they’re seeing a rise in the number of overdoses every day. He said the situation is becoming worse with the mental health services in dire need of more support from the provincial and federal governments.
“The situation is even more complicated by huge waitlists in shelter systems turning people away and towards street drugs to cope with their mental health issues,” Murali said.
Health Canada said more than 40,642 Canadians have died of toxic drug overdoses since 2016, with more than 3,970 deaths occurring in the first half of 2023.
The total number of apparent opioid toxicity deaths in Canada during this period in 2023 was five per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2022, Health Canada said.
The PHAC has developed a simulation model of opioid-related deaths, shedding light on the potential number of fatalities through June 2024.
Projections indicate that, under certain circumstances, the number of opioid-related deaths may persist or even rise until June 2024.
Health Canada stated that the opioid overdose crisis continues to have significant impacts on people living in Canada, their families, and communities.
To address this crisis, the Canadian government has been allocating resources and implementing strategies for prevention, treatment and support.
The recent announcement on Oct. 30, 2023, allocated $21 million from the federal budget to fund 54 harm reduction projects nationwide.
These initiatives prioritize community-based programs and interventions to combat the opioid crisis.