A national data release on opioid and stimulant related harms shows more than 5,360 Canadians died of an overdose from January to September 2022. The sobering statistics add up to about 20 people a day whose lives were cut short from substance use harms.
The numbers are down from the same period in 2021, but the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health said the death toll is still far too high.
Carolyn Bennett is calling for harm reduction measures such as more supervised consumption sites and safer supply programs. She pointed out both of those services are supervised by health professionals and often provide access to other health and social services, including treatment and recovery services.
"Since 2017, our government has invested more than $800 million to address the toxic drug and overdose crisis through prevention, harm reduction, enforcement, and treatment efforts," said Bennett. "Our actions have made a difference, but people who use drugs continue to face an increasingly toxic illegal drug supply contaminated with synthetic opioids and other substances, including fentanyl and benzodiazepines, as well as challenges in accessing life-saving services and supports due to a lack of availability, an overburdened health system, and fears of stigmatization.”
"We must do everything we can to ensure that people who use substances in Canada have access to the best possible supports, whenever and wherever they need them," she continued. "This includes the three-year exemption granted to the province of British Columbia under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) for adults to possess up to 2.5 grams total of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, or MDMA for personal use. This is a significant measure that aims to reduce the stigma around substance use by driving more people away from the criminal justice system and towards supportive and trusted relationships in health and social services."
