The extremely addictive opioid is behind an rising variety of deaths in Canada, based on the federal government.
Fentanyl is more and more behind opioid overdose deaths in Canada, based on new authorities information.
The nationwide well being company on Monday reported that just about 50,000 individuals within the North American nation died from opioid overdose deaths from January 2016 to June 2024.
Throughout that interval, fentanyl, a extremely addictive artificial opioid generally prescribed for ache aid, accounted for 49,105 of the deaths.
In the meantime, the proportion of fentanyl deaths has elevated, based on the info, accounting for 79 % of opioid deaths thus far this 12 months. That could be a 39 % enhance since 2016.
The info was launched simply weeks earlier than United States President-elect Donald Trump is about to enter the White Home.
Trump’s looming presidency has drawn elevated consideration to the opioid disaster in North America, with the president-elect threatening to impose 25 % tariffs on Canada and Mexico if the neighbours didn’t do extra to stem the stream of medication and undocumented migrants crossing into the US.
Canada’s authorities final week introduced a raft of latest border measures geared toward allaying Trump’s considerations, even when the president-elect’s claims don’t fairly observe with the info.
US Customs and Border Protections reported that lower than 20kg of fentanyl was seized on the US-Canada border in 2023.
Nonetheless, Canadian authorities have warned of a rise in home manufacturing of fentanyl within the nation, with regulation enforcement focusing extra on chemical precursors used to make the substance.
Canada’s overseas ministry has mentioned the seizure of Canadian-made fentanyl within the US, Australia and different international locations signifies that home manufacturing exceeds demand and Canada has turn into a web fentanyl exporter.
The general charge of opioid overdoses has declined in contrast with final 12 months, based on Well being Canada.
Well being Canada mentioned a mean of 21 individuals had died every day from obvious opioid overdoses thus far this 12 months – an 11 % decline from 2023.
Nonetheless, the company warned that the numbers are preliminary and topic to alter.
“We should stay cautious in drawing conclusions on the developments for 2024,” it mentioned in an announcement.
“The extent of opioid and stimulant-related harms stays very excessive.”
