The government reports that fentanyl, a highly addictive opioid, is the cause of a rising number of deaths in Canada.
Fentanyl has been identified as a contributing factor in the increasing number of opioid overdose deaths in Canada, according to recent government statistics.
The national health agency released data on Monday showing that almost 50,000 individuals in the country died from opioid overdoses between January 2016 and June 2024.
Of these deaths, 49,105 were linked to fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid often prescribed for pain management.
The data reveals a growing percentage of deaths attributed to fentanyl, accounting for 79% of opioid-related fatalities this year, which marks a 39% surge since 2016.
This data was made public shortly before the upcoming inauguration of United States President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump’s impending presidency has brought more attention to the opioid crisis in North America, with the president-elect threatening tariffs on Canada and Mexico if they fail to address drug trafficking and illegal crossings into the US.
The Canadian government recently announced new border control measures to address Trump’s concerns, despite conflicting reports with available data.
US Customs and Border Protection reported confiscating less than 20kg of fentanyl at the US-Canada border in 2023.
Authorities in Canada have warned about an increase in domestic fentanyl production, with law enforcement concentrating on the chemical components necessary to make the drug.
The Canadian foreign ministry revealed that Canadian-produced fentanyl has been seized in the US, Australia, and other countries, suggesting that domestic production exceeds demand, making Canada a net exporter of fentanyl.
While the overall rate of opioid overdoses has decreased from the previous year, Health Canada notes that the average daily death toll from apparent opioid overdoses in 2024 has decreased by 11% from 2023.
However, Health Canada cautioned that these figures are preliminary and subject to change.
“We must exercise caution in interpreting the trends for 2024,” the agency stated. “The impact of opioid and stimulant-related harms remains significant.”
