Modelling opioid-related deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) developed a simulation model of opioid-related deaths that provides information on the number of these deaths that might occur during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 through to June 2022.

The opioid overdose crisis continues to have significant impacts on Canadians, their families, and communities, and remains one of the most serious public health crises in Canada's recent history.

Data from several jurisdictions across Canada and PHAC show a substantial increase in opioid-related harms and deaths since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.

This may be related to:

• changes in the illegal drug supply, as supply chains have been disrupted by travel restrictions and border measures
• less access to supports and services for people who use drugs, such as supervised consumption sites
• more use of substances as a way to cope with stress