Data, surveillance and research on opioids and other substances

Canada continues to struggle with historic rates of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses. The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening the overdose crisis in many communities due to a more toxic illegal supply, increased feelings of isolation, stress and anxiety, and limited availability or accessibility of services for people who use drugs. This page provides links to the evidence guiding our response to the overdose crisis.

On this page

• Opioid- and stimulant-related harms
• Federal actions on opioids
• Reports, studies and surveys
• Provincial and territorial information

Opioid- and stimulant-related harms

Access the most recent data (Last updated: September 2021)

To better understand and respond effectively to the overdose crisis, we continue to work with our partners across Canada.

Provinces and territories collect and share data on:

• apparent opioid and stimulant toxicity deaths
• opioid and stimulant poisoning hospitalizations
• suspected opioid-related overdoses attended by Emergency Medical Services

Federal actions on opioids

We remain committed to a collaborative, compassionate and evidence-based approach to the opioid overdose crisis.

Overview: Federal actions on opioids (Last updated: June 2021)

Reports, studies and surveys

We conduct studies and publish reports to improve our understanding of the overdose crisis on a national level.

Public Health Agency of Canada

• A simulation model that provides information on the number of opioid overdose deaths that may occur during the COVID-19 outbreak
  Modelling opioid overdose deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak
• People experiencing homelessness are at a greater risk of substance-related harms and patterns for poisonings differ compared to people with housing
  Substance-related poisonings and homelessness in Canada: a descriptive analysis of hospitalization data
• People who experience an opioid-related poisoning are at risk of brain injury from a lack of oxygen, which may have lasting mental and physical effects.
  Opioid-related poisoning and anoxic brain injury in Canada: a descriptive analysis of hospitalization data
• Understanding the mental health profile of individuals who experience opioid-related harms can support evidence-based policies and interventions
  Opioid-related harms and mental disorders in Canada: a descriptive analysis of hospitalization data
• In addition to overdoses and deaths, exploring a range of opioid-related harms can help inform public health actions to address the opioid overdose crisis
  Brief report: Understanding a broader range of opioid-related hospitalizations in Canada
• Integrating harms data to better understand the public health impact and pathways of the opioid overdose crisis
  Brief report: Integrating Emergency Medical Service, hospitalization, and death data
• A national study on opioid and other drug-related overdose deaths: insights from coroners and medical examiners
  National study highlights: Insights from coroners and medical examiners
• Measuring the impact of the opioid overdose epidemic on life expectancy at birth in Canada
  Key Findings and brief report: opioid overdose epidemic on life expectancy at birth

Health Canada

• Latest data from the Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey
  Data about Canadians' use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs
• Scientific and technical services to help Canadian law enforcement agencies in their activities involving illegal drugs
  Health Canada's Drug Analysis Service

Statistics Canada

• Relevant bulletins and administrative data from Statistics Canada on the use of opioids and other substances
  The Daily: Opioids, problematic substance use, overdose

Canadian Institute for Health Information

• Information on Canada's health system and the health of Canadians
  Relevant opioid-related reports, including opioid prescribing

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

• CIHR aims to improve understanding of substance use and its effects on our health
  Research on substance use, including opioids

Provincial and territorial information

Provincial and territorial differences exist in the impact of the opioid crisis and in their response. To find out more, please refer to the links below:

• British Columbia
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Quebec (available in French only)
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Yukon
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut

For more information

• Opioids and the opioid crisis in Canada
• Where to find help with substance use in your province or territory
• Canadian drugs and substances strategy