Dalhousie Study Reveals Surge in Opioid Overdoses in Nova Scotia

Research from Dalhousie University indicates a troubling rise in opioid-related overdoses in Nova Scotia following a period of decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed data from 2009 to 2023, focusing on the distinctions between deaths caused by pharmaceutical opioids and those linked to illicit substances.

During the pandemic, opioid-related fatalities in the province fell significantly from 2019 to 2021. However, shortly after this decline, researchers observed a sharp increase in fatal incidents, primarily driven by a surge in deaths associated with illicit opioids. The report outlines that pharmaceutical opioids, which are prescribed for pain management, can lead to misuse, dependence, or accidental overdose. In contrast, illicit opioids, such as fentanyl, are unregulated and frequently mixed with other drugs, heightening the risk of overdose.

Using population-based data, the researchers categorized opioid deaths by health zone and drug type. The findings revealed that the increase in deaths after the pandemic largely reflected the growing prevalence of illicit opioid use in the province.

The report highlights a concerning trend: “The increased potency of the illegal drug supply caused overdose-related deaths to suddenly increase around 2016, and they’ve remained high ever since,” according to the Government of Canada website. Although Nova Scotia has reported more pharmaceutical-related deaths than other provinces, data from Statistics Canada show a consistent rise in opioid toxicity deaths across the region.

In the first quarter of 2024, Nova Scotia recorded 15 opioid-related deaths, just two fewer than the total for the first quarter of the previous year, indicating a persistent crisis. This data underscores the urgent need for public health interventions and support systems to address the ongoing opioid epidemic.

Co-authors of the study, Dr. Cindy Feng and Dr. Mark Asbridge, both from Dalhousie’s Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, emphasize that illicit drugs play a significant role in the rising mortality rates in Nova Scotia. Their findings have been published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health, contributing to the ongoing conversation about the opioid crisis in Canada.

The research serves as a reminder of the continuing challenges posed by opioid misuse and the critical need for comprehensive strategies to tackle both pharmaceutical and illicit opioid-related issues. As Nova Scotia grapples with this public health crisis, the importance of effective policy measures and community support becomes increasingly clear.