Opioid deaths in Canada have declined, and five factors help explain why

Recent data show Canada’s drug-death rate fell from about 20 per 100,000 at its peak to 13.5 in early 2025, and experts point to five main drivers including changes in the drug supply and wider naloxone access.

Recent national data indicate the rate of drug deaths in Canada has fallen from about 20 per 100,000 at its peak to 13.5 in January–June 2025. The change comes after a decade marked by a toxic-drug crisis linked to illicit fentanyl and related substances. Officials and researchers say several factors may be contributing, but complete data for 2025 are not yet available and uncertainty remains. Key facts: - The reported national rate declined by at least a third over the past two years, with 13.5 per 100,000 recorded in early 2025. - Researchers and a peer-reviewed study point to changes in the illicit drug supply, including lower measured fentanyl concentrations and a possible "supply shock" after tightened precursor controls. - Naloxone access and distribution expanded substantially; distribution tripled from 2020 to 2024, and provinces with substantial naloxone programs saw notable mortality declines according to federal reports. - Progress is uneven: Indigenous people, some northern and remote communities, and certain eastern provinces continue to experience higher or rising death rates. Summary: The reported decline has lowered national averages but masks persistent regional and demographic disparities and continuing risks in an unpredictable drug supply. Undetermined at this time.