National report: Apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada (released March 2018)

"The opioid crisis has affected every part of the country, but there are clear differences in death rates and the substances involved across provinces and territories. According to data reported as of March 22, 2018:

in 2016, there were 2,946 apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada

88% were accidental (unintentional)

from January to September 2017, there were at least 2,923 apparent opioid-related deaths; 92% were accidental

72% of accidental apparent opioid-related deaths involved fentanyl or fentanyl analogues, compared to 55% in 2016

most accidental apparent opioid-related deaths occurred among males (76%) and among individuals between the ages of 30 and 39 (28%)

it is expected that these numbers will change as additional data become available"