01/22/2026
Three key messages:
In Canada, the crude rate of apparent stimulant toxicity deaths doubled from 2018 to 2024.
The percentage of apparent opioid toxicity deaths involving stimulants has increased in all provinces and territories (where data are available) over the years, except in the Northwest Territories, which is seeing a decrease.
The main harms and adverse effects reported in relation to stimulant use are cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, cardiac arrythmias, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. In contrast, the primary harm associated with opioid use is respiratory depression.
📢 Part 1 is now live.
The first part of our two-part issue of Substance Use Trends in Canada looks at the national data on stimulant use and related harms – including recent increases in some regions across the country.
Read Part 1 today: https://ow.ly/z86e50XZIJ1
And stay tuned: Part 2 will be released soon, exploring what’s driving stimulant use, its impacts on different groups and potential treatment and responses.
