2024-08-31 14:20:33
Despite government measures, the opioid crisis continues to wreak more havoc in Quebec. Researchers estimate that the magnitude of the overdose crisis experienced in British Columbia and Ontario is now occurring in Quebec.
In a study published in the medical journal Drug and Alcohol Reviews, experts from the CHUM Research Center and the University of Montreal analyzed data from the Quebec Coroner’s Office from 2012 to 2021.
During this period, there were 1,647 accidental deaths caused by opioids, including 1,206 accidental deaths involving stimulants.
Between 2012 and 2017, the annual number of deaths increased from 1.5 to 2.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. The death rate fell in 2018-2019, reaching 1.8 deaths per 100,000 people, before rising to a peak in 2020, at 2.7 deaths per 100,000 people. The next year, the rate was 2.4 per 100,000 people.
“The number is large because of our proportion of the population, but the number of us at risk is small. In other words, if we had the true number of people taking opioids illegally on the streets, the number of deaths would be The proportions would be terrible.
Long-term data shows that people who use opioids are often ten times more likely to die than people of the same age who don’t use opioids, she said. “This is for a variety of reasons, including that it is illegal and that they are hidden. Services are there, but they fall far short of the demand,” Dr. Bruno insisted.
The findings suggest a key factor in Quebec’s crisis is the rise in opioid poisoning deaths since 2020 from fentanyl and new synthetic opioids.
Additionally, benzodiazepines have been consistently detected in opioid intoxication. “Heroin is down, fentanyl and various opioid derivatives are up, but so are benzodiazepines (i.e., the sedatives or tranquilizers that are mixed with these drugs). These painkillers are often used without the user’s knowledge. people are mixing it up in situations where they think they’re just using opioids,” Dr. Bruno explained.
The combination of opioids and benzodiazepines is particularly dangerous because the sedative effects of benzodiazepines combine with the respiratory depression caused by opioids, increasing the risk of overdose.
Parallel stimulus crises
Dr. Bruno confirms Quebec’s opioid crisis is multifactorial. “Our drugs are getting worse and more potent, and the fabric of our society is becoming increasingly difficult for all people. For three years, COVID-19 has exacerbated huge inequalities, suffering and mental health problems across the population, including Even more serious is this population,” she said.
In addition to the opioid crisis, stimulants like cocaine continue to kill many people. Data shows deaths from stimulants are on the rise, with cocaine causing a higher death rate than amphetamine or methamphetamine. The death rate was highest in 2020, with 2.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
Historically, cocaine has been the drug most commonly found in stimulant deaths, but it has increased from accounting for 80% of deaths in 2012 to 58% of deaths in 2021. is taking over. In 2012, these substances were detected in 30% of deaths, and after fluctuations over the years, this increased to 62% in 2021.
“We know that cocaine and stimulants are widely used by drug users in Quebec. It is one of the provinces with the highest prevalence of cocaine and stimulants,” the researchers said. So she’s not surprised that deaths from stimulants are increasing, even though opioids are more common.
Insufficient government action
As part of International Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday, Minister responsible for Social Services Lionel Carmant announced a $1.6 million increase to the Dependent Care Fund, aimed at preventing overdoses from psychoactive drugs.
Since 2017, the Canadian government has invested more than $1 billion to directly address the overdose crisis, including strengthening harm-to-harm measures. The Quebec government is also making naloxone free at all pharmacies in the province.
Dr. Bruno believes these actions should be commended. “There are growing concerns about access to care for people with use problems,” she noted. The expert is also pleased with measures such as the injection equipment distribution plan.
“But it’s not enough,” she said. We cannot assume that by preventing those at risk of death from drugs today, we can act upstream to put prevention, testing and care at the center of individuals who do not suffer from stigmatization. »
Stigma causes people with substance abuse problems to wait years before seeking help.
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