Several provinces in Canada have seen a decline in apparent opioid-related deaths, according to new data from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). This is not the case, however, in Quebec, where an upward trend is observed.

The data indicate that there was a 17 per cent decrease in apparent opioid-related deaths in 2024 in Canada compared to 2023. Despite this decline, the CCSA notes in a report that the number of deaths remains high across the country, with regional variations. Overall, there will be nearly 7,150 deaths in 2024, representing an average of 20 deaths per day.

The majority (80 per cent) of apparent opioid-related deaths occurred in British Columbia (2,299 deaths), Ontario (2,231 deaths), and Alberta (1,181 deaths).

Related: • Opioid-related interve

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