The Canadian city of Halifax is facing a concerning trend as federal data suggests a rise in cocaine use, contributing to a high percentage of drug-related deaths. According to a Statistics Canada report released on Wednesday, cocaine levels have surged in most municipalities across Canada from January to May 2022 compared to the same period in 2020, with early data for 2023 indicating a continuing overall rise.
The report also revealed that drug overdoses increased by more than 30% from 2020 to 2021, with roughly half of the apparent accidental opioid deaths also involving a stimulant. Tara Gomes, a research scientist based out of Unity Health Toronto and a principal investigator with the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network, highlighted the worsening situation, emphasizing the need for multiple types of programs and services to address the complex issue of poly-substance use.
Nova Scotia in particular has seen a spike in drug-related deaths and overdoses linked to cocaine, with nearly half of the accidental overdose deaths last year involving the stimulant. The province’s health authority has reported cases where cocaine and the opioid hydromorphone were used in recent “clusters” of suspected overdoses, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network and Public Health Ontario’s report revealed that nearly 2,900 Ontarians died from consuming toxic substances in 2021, almost double the number from three years prior. The report also found that more deaths occurred as a result of at least two types of substances, with most individuals having a mixture of opioids and stimulants in their systems.
In addition to cocaine, Canadian cities have also displayed high levels of methamphetamine in wastewater, contributing to the challenge of addressing its usage. Lauren Pelley, a senior health and medical reporter, emphasized how the illicit supply of opioids has been contaminated with other substances, leading to poly-substance use. She underlined the importance of understanding the unpredictable nature of these drugs and the associated harms across all populations.
Experts stress that the usage and harms linked to various drugs are now so widespread, impacting both long-term, regular drug users and those taking illicit drugs on a more casual basis. This highlights the complexity of the issue and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the rising trend of stimulant use in Canada.
The report brings to light the pressing need for effective measures to combat the surge in stimulant use and its impact on drug-related deaths across Canada, sparking broader discussions about addressing the poly-substance use crisis in the country.