New federal data reveal that Manitoba recorded the highest rate of stimulating drugs in the country in 2024, with 30 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, or 448 deaths in total.
Deaths related to opioids are also high, with a rate of 24.8 per 100,000-the third higher after British Columbia and Yukon. Although deaths by opioids have decreased slightly compared to 2023, they have more than quadrupled since 2016.
“The overdose crisis, caused by a toxic toxic drug supply, represents one of the most serious public health crises with which our country has ever been confronted,” said a statement published by the Council of Chief Hygienist Physicians and Chief Coroners and Chief Legal Coroners.
At the national level in 2024, the opioids led to 7,146 deaths, while the stimulants resulted in 3,931. But despite these high figures, the Council notes a drop in the number of deaths in most provinces.
“Some provincial and territorial partners in public health stress that the decrease in deaths can be attributable, at least in part, to a lower toxicity of drugs in circulation, according to drug verification data which indicates a decrease in fentanyl concentrations, adds the declaration.
- Manitoba leads the deaths linked to stimulants and opioids in Canada. (Illustration photo by Towfiqu98 – Invato Elements): Invato elements
