The extremely addictive opioid is behind an rising variety of deaths in Canada, in accordance with the federal government.
Fentanyl is more and more behind opioid overdose deaths in Canada, in accordance with new authorities information.
The nationwide well being company on Monday reported that almost 50,000 folks within the North American nation died from opioid overdose deaths from January 2016 to June 2024.
Throughout that interval, fentanyl, a extremely addictive synthetic opioid generally prescribed for ache reduction, accounted for 49,105 of the deaths.
In the meantime, the proportion of fentanyl deaths has elevated, in accordance with the info, accounting for 79 p.c of opioid deaths up to now this yr. That may be a 39 p.c enhance since 2016.
The information 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 increased attention to the opioid disaster in North America, with the president-elect threatening to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico if the neighbours didn’t do extra to stem the circulate of medication and undocumented migrants crossing into the US.
Canada’s authorities final week introduced a raft of recent border measures geared toward allaying Trump’s issues, even when the president-elect’s claims don’t fairly monitor 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 legislation 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 nations signifies that home manufacturing exceeds demand and Canada has change into a web fentanyl exporter.
The general fee of opioid overdoses has declined in contrast with final yr, in accordance with Well being Canada.
Well being Canada mentioned a mean of 21 folks had died every day from obvious opioid overdoses up to now this yr – an 11 p.c decline from 2023.
Nonetheless, the company warned that the numbers are preliminary and topic to vary.
“We should stay cautious in drawing conclusions on the tendencies for 2024,” it mentioned in an announcement.
“The extent of opioid and stimulant-related harms stays very excessive.”
