Opioid- and Stimulant-related Harms in Canada Published: (December 2020)

Key Findings Maps Graphs Technical Notes

Select an item from each list below:

Percentage of accidental apparent stimulant toxicity deaths by sex in Canada, 2018 to 2020 (Jan to Jun)

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Data on hospitalizations from Quebec are not included in the dataset used for analysis. As a result, Quebec is excluded. Refer to the technical notes for more information.
Opioids with a pharmaceutical origin refer to opioids that were manufactured by a pharmaceutical company and approved for medical purposes in humans. Pharmaceutical origin does not indicate how the opioids were obtained (e.g. through personal prescription or by other means). Data on origin of opioids were only available for deaths with completed investigations from 2018 onward from six provinces and territories. More information on origin data can be found in the technical notes.
Suppressed (suppr.) – Data may be suppressed in provinces or territories with low numbers of cases.
Suppressed (suppr.) – Counts five or less are not presented to address concerns around releasing small numbers.
Not available (n/a) – Data were not available at the time of this publication.
2019 data from Manitoba are based on January to September.
Apparent opioid toxicity death (AOTD): A death caused by intoxication/toxicity (poisoning) resulting from substance use, where one or more of the substances is an opioid, regardless of how it was obtained (e.g. illegally or through personal prescription). Other substances may also be involved. Data on apparent opioid toxicity deaths and stimulant toxicity deaths are not mutually exclusive. A high proportion of deaths involving a stimulant also involved an opioid. Adding up those numbers would result in an overestimation of the burden of opioids and stimulants.
Apparent toxicity stimulant death (ASTD): A death caused by intoxication/toxicity (poisoning) resulting from substance use, where one or more of the substances is a stimulant, regardless of how it was obtained (e.g. illegally or through personal prescription). Other substances may also be involved. Data on apparent opioid toxicity deaths and stimulant toxicity deaths are not mutually exclusive. A high proportion of deaths involving a stimulant also involved an opioid. Adding up those numbers would result in an overestimation of the burden of opioids and stimulants.
Data on opioid-related and stimulant-related poisoning hospitalizations are not mutually exclusive. A proportion of poisoning hospitalizations involving a stimulant also involved an opioid. Adding up those numbers would result in an overestimation of the burden of opioids and stimulants.
* - These counts are based on completed investigations only; the time required to complete an investigation and related administrative processes is case-dependent and can range from approximately three to twenty-four months. Updated data based on results of completed investigations will be reflected in future updates.
Until investigations are completed, some provinces and territories report fentanyl specific information only or report data on fentanyl and fentanyl analogues together. Therefore, some deaths involving fentanyl analogues may be included in the fentanyl percentages.

This update is based on data submitted to the Public Health Agency of Canada on or before November 10, 2020. Due to differences in identifying and reporting cases, comparisons over time and between provinces and territories should be interpreted with caution. Refer to the technical notes for more information.

Percentage of accidental apparent stimulant toxicity deaths by sex in Canada, 2018 to 2020 (Jan to Jun)
Year	Percent
2018 - Male	76%
2018 - Female	24%
2019 - Male	73%
2019 - Female	27%
2020 (Jan to Jun) - Male	77%
2020 (Jan to Jun) - Female	23%

Data on hospitalizations from Quebec are not included in the dataset used for analysis. As a result, Quebec is excluded. Refer to the technical notes for more information.
Opioids with a pharmaceutical origin refer to opioids that were manufactured by a pharmaceutical company and approved for medical purposes in humans. Pharmaceutical origin does not indicate how the opioids were obtained (e.g. through personal prescription or by other means). Data on origin of opioids were only available for deaths with completed investigations from 2018 onward from six provinces and territories. More information on origin data can be found in the technical notes.
Suppressed (Suppr.) – Data may be suppressed in provinces or territories with low numbers of cases.
Suppressed (Suppr.) – Counts five or less are not presented to address concerns around releasing small numbers.
Not available (n/a) – Data were not available at the time of this publication.
2019 data from Manitoba are based on January to September.
Apparent opioid toxicity death (AOTD): A death caused by intoxication/toxicity (poisoning) resulting from substance use, where one or more of the substances is an opioid, regardless of how it was obtained (e.g. illegally or through personal prescription). Other substances may also be involved. Data on apparent opioid toxicity deaths and stimulant toxicity deaths are not mutually exclusive. A high proportion of deaths involving a stimulant also involved an opioid. Adding up those numbers would result in an overestimation of the burden of opioids and stimulants.
Apparent toxicity stimulant death (ASTD): A death caused by intoxication/toxicity (poisoning) resulting from substance use, where one or more of the substances is a stimulant, regardless of how it was obtained (e.g. illegally or through personal prescription). Other substances may also be involved. Data on apparent opioid toxicity deaths and stimulant toxicity deaths are not mutually exclusive. A high proportion of deaths involving a stimulant also involved an opioid. Adding up those numbers would result in an overestimation of the burden of opioids and stimulants.
Data on opioid-related and stimulant-related poisoning hospitalizations are not mutually exclusive. A proportion of poisoning hospitalizations involving a stimulant also involved an opioid. Adding up those numbers would result in an overestimation of the burden of opioids and stimulants.
* - These counts are based on completed investigations only; the time required to complete an investigation and related administrative processes is case-dependent and can range from approximately three to twenty-four months. Updated data based on results of completed investigations will be reflected in future updates.
Until investigations are completed, some provinces and territories report fentanyl specific information only or report data on fentanyl and fentanyl analogues together. Therefore, some deaths involving fentanyl analogues may be included in the fentanyl percentages.

Acknowledgements

This update would not be possible without the collaboration and dedication of provincial and territorial (PT) offices of Chief Coroners and Chief Medical Examiners as well as PT public health and health partners and Emergency Medical Services data providers. We would also like to acknowledge the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) for collecting and providing the data used for reporting opioid-related poisoning hospitalizations.

Suggested Citation

Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid Overdoses. Opioids and stimulant-related Harms in Canada. Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada; December 2020. https://health-infobase.canada.ca/substance-related-harms/opioids-stimulants

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Opioid- and Stimulant-related Harms in Canada Published: (December 2020)

Acknowledgements

Suggested Citation

Learn more about opioids and stimulants in Canada