Manitoba heavily impacted by opioid-related deaths leading into pandemic: report
A new study out of Ontario and posted in the Canadian Medical Association Journal is highlighting the significant increase in accidental opioid-related deaths in Canada leading into the COVID-19 pandemic, with Manitoba being one of the most impacted provinces in the country.
The research looked at opioid-related deaths between 2019 and 2021 in nine provinces and territories in Canada.
Across Canada, opioid-related deaths more than doubled from 2019 with 3,007, to 6,222 in 2021.
It also found the years of life lost per 100,000 people climbed from 3.5 years in 2019 to seven in 2021.
After dipping halfway through 2019, opioid-related deaths spiked dramatically through the first quarter of 2020 and spiked again in the third quarter of 2021.
People in their 20s and 30s were most impacted by opioid deaths as they represented 29.3 per cent of all deaths in people aged 20 to 29 and 29 per cent of all deaths for people between 30 and 39.
"The disproportionate loss of life in this demographic group highlights the critical need for targeted prevention efforts," the report said.
The data also showed men were much more likely to suffer an opioid-related death compared to women, with more than 4,500 deaths in 2021 compared to more than 1,600 women.
Manitoba one of the most impacted provinces by opioid-related deaths
Breaking down the provinces individually, the research found the Prairie provinces were impacted the most by opioid-related deaths.
Alberta and Saskatchewan both recorded fatality numbers that more than doubled between 2019 and 2021 – 619 deaths to 1,618 in Alberta and 109 to 322 deaths in Saskatchewan.
Meanwhile, Manitoba's opioid-related deaths spiked nearly five-fold by 2021. There were 54 deaths in the province in 2019 and by the end of 2021, there were 263.
"In Manitoba, 70 per cent of opioid toxicity deaths in 2019 had fentanyl or fentanyl analogues detected, increasing to 86 per cent in 2020," the report said.
Arlene Last-Kolb, a member of Moms Stop the Harm, lost her son Jessie to fentanyl drug poisoning in 2014.
She said the toxic drug supply is one of the main issues that needs to be addressed.
"We're losing a whole generation of young people like my son," Last-Kolb said. "It's going to take a lot more than safe spaces and more treatment to address the toxic drug supply, including opiates, fentanyl that we have on our streets."
Proportion of all-cause deaths attributable to opioids in Manitoba in 2021. (Canadian Medical Association Journal)
The years of life lost also jumped dramatically in Manitoba, going from 1.8 per 100,000 to 8.5 per 100,000 in 2021.
Those in the 30 to 39 age range were most impacted by opioid-related deaths in Manitoba. Almost 30 per cent of deaths in that age group were attributable to opioids.
Marion Willis, the founder and executive director of St. Boniface Street Links, called the numbers horrifying. She says something needs to be done as soon as possible.
"If that is not the strongest statement ever to support that we need a plan to address the drug crisis in this city, in this province - I don't know what it takes," said Willis.
She said plans for a new safe consumption site are a good first step, but agreed the drug supply also needs to be addressed.
"Safe consumption needs to include safer supply, or will we still have people using the same toxic drugs off the street."
Bernadette Smith, the minister of housing, addictions and homelessness, said the province has a number of items on its agenda to help deal with the problem.
"That's exactly what our government is doing. So supervised consumption site, drug testing machines, that's our first step – getting those up and running," said Smith.
However, Willis and Last-Kolb want to see action now.
"This is a challenge that is impacting all members of our human family. We're all losing our loved ones, you know, from the wealthiest families to the poorest families. This is affecting everybody," said Willis.
"It's frustrating to talk about things that are going to happen down the road when somebody dies here every single day," said Last-Kolb.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of a 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
How to keep insects out of your house, according to an entomologist and other experts
Now that temperatures have warmed up even more this spring, you may be anxious at the thought of bugs invading your home or you may already be battling the pests. Here are expert tips on how to keep them away.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
A woman took her dog to a shelter to be euthanized. A year later, the dog is up for adoption again
Exhausted and short on options after consulting two veterinary clinics, Kristie Pereira made the gut-wrenching decision last year to take her desperately ill puppy to a Maryland shelter to be euthanized.
Ford thanks Ottawa as minister cites 'deep concerns' over Toronto's decriminalization
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is thanking the federal government for rejecting Toronto's long-stalled pitch to decriminalize the possession of illegal drugs.
What we know about the young missionaries and religious leader killed in Haiti
The local director of a mission group in Haiti and a missionary couple from the U.S. were attacked and fatally shot by gang members after leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told The Associated Press.
After toddler's near drowning in backyard pool, Quebec mom has warning for parents
A Quebec mother who saved her child from the bottom of a backyard pool last weekend has a message for other families.
Five things to know about the NHL playoffs
The Florida Panthers got close but fell short of going up 2-0 in their series on Friday, something the Edmonton Oilers look to do Saturday night.