While overdose deaths across the country appear to be on the decline year-over-year, thousands continue to lose their lives to opioids.
According to data released this week by the Public Health Agency of Canada, 3,787 people died of an opioid overdose in Canada in the first six months of 2024, which is 11 per cent fewer fatalities compared to the same period in 2023.
The majority of opioid overdose deaths, 84 per cent, occurred in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.
Of all accidental apparent opioid overdose deaths in the first six months of the year, 79 per cent involved fentanyl. This percentage has increased by 39 per cent since 2016.
Between January and June of this year, there were 2,846 opioid-related hospitalizations, 13,287 emergency department visits, and 18,792 EMS responses to suspected opioid-related overdoses.