Canada Sees 23% Drop in Opioid Deaths, but Harm Reduction Challenges Persist

Event summary

  • Canada reported 5,608 opioid-related deaths in 2025, a 23% decrease from 2024 but still averaging 15 deaths per day.
  • Stimulant-related deaths fell 31% nationally, but several provinces saw higher stimulant deaths than opioid-related ones.
  • Opioid-related hospitalizations and emergency visits dropped 12% and 5%, respectively, while EMS responses rose 9%, driven by Alberta and Saskatchewan.
  • Benzodiazepine involvement in opioid toxicity deaths surged from 8% in 2018 to 34% in 2024, highlighting toxic drug supply concerns.

The big picture

While Canada's opioid crisis shows signs of easing with a 23% drop in deaths, regional variations and the toxic drug supply remain critical challenges. The rise in benzodiazepine involvement underscores the need for continued vigilance in harm reduction strategies. The crisis's uneven impact across provinces highlights the importance of coordinated, jurisdiction-specific interventions.

What we're watching

Regional Disparities
Whether provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan can curb rising EMS responses amid toxic drug supply shifts.
Harm Reduction Impact
How sustained access to naloxone and other measures will affect overdose rates in 2026.
Drug Supply Monitoring
The pace at which benzodiazepine and fentanyl analogue contamination is tracked and addressed.