China News Service, Toronto, March 27 (Reporter Yu Ruidong) Canadian officials released monitoring data on the harm related to opioids and stimulants on the 27th, showing that the public health problems caused by opioid abuse faced by the country are continuing to worsen.
The latest monitoring data shows that from January to September 2023, there were 5,975 deaths significantly related to opioids in Canada, and 4,646 hospitalizations due to opioid-related poisoning. This means that an average of 22 people died from opioid abuse every day during the above period. During the same period, more than 21,700 people received emergency treatment for reported opioid poisoning, equivalent to an average of about 80 visits per day.
From January 2016 to September 2023, a total of 42,494 deaths significantly related to opioids were reported in Canada. In the first three quarters of 2023, 88% of related deaths occurred in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario; 72% were men, most of whom were in the 20 to 59 age group.
Canada's chief public health officer Theresa Tam, who co-chairs the special advisory committee on the opioid overdose epidemic, and New Brunswick's acting chief medical officer of health Léger described the opioid abuse issue as "an urgent public health concern" in a statement. crisis".
The data report points out that the number of opioid-related deaths and other injuries in the country has continued to increase significantly since the Public Health Agency of Canada began nationwide monitoring in 2016. The number of related injuries in the first three quarters of 2023 is still close to the peak level during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2021, which is the highest value since monitoring began.
Canadian officials pointed out that the mixed use of some new opioids and sedatives with fentanyl and its analogs has increased in recent years. Not only does this increase the risk of poisoning, it also makes treatment more challenging. Data from some provinces show that the mode of drug use is changing from injection to inhalation.
Theresa Tam and Léger said in the statement that this evolving crisis is complex and requires joint efforts from all levels of government, public health and public safety partners, all parties in society, and affected communities. (over)