Thank you very much.

Good afternoon.

Thank you for providing my colleagues and I with the opportunity to address this crucial issue.

In my comments today, I would like to share some information about what we know about the crisis, based on the data we collect at the federal level, and to outline some of the measures we have been advancing to reduce harm, prevent overdoses and related deaths, and to expand access to treatment and support recovery and wellbeing.

The overdose crisis we face today is a profound public health emergency, reaching into the lives of individuals across diverse demographics. This public health crisis is having a tragic impact on people who use substances, their families, and communities across the country, and is shaped by a wide range of factors.

Based on the latest available data, there have been 38,514 opioid overdose deaths since January 2016. While 90% of these deaths in Canada occurred in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, it is important to note that elevated rates have also been observed in other areas with smaller population sizes, including Saskatchewan and Yukon.

Most apparent opioid toxicity deaths are among young to middle-aged males. In fact, males accounted for 73% of accidental apparent opioid toxicity deaths.

Indigenous peoples are disproportionately impacted. For example, while first nations make up 3% of British Columbia's total population, 16% of those who died of an overdose identified as first nations. Also, according to data from the Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre, the rate of opioid poisoning deaths is seven times higher for first nations people compared to non-first nations people in the province.

The data also confirmed that very high rates of overdose deaths are the direct result of increasing street drug toxicity. Of all reported overdose deaths, 81% involved fentanyl. Multi-drug toxicity is a contributing factor to the crisis. Increasingly, people are using a mix of drugs, which is significantly increasing risk.

This crisis is widespread and pervasive. Understanding why people turn to substances engages the full range of social determinants of health, as well as adverse childhood experiences, trauma, poverty, mental illness and chronic pain.

We have worked with experts to ensure we are pursuing evidence-based strategies to comprehensively and compassionately address this crisis. It is within this context that the Government of Canada has been actively working for many years, mobilizing efforts across a continuum of interventions that span prevention, harm reduction, treatment and enforcement, and working together to reduce harmful stigmatizing attitudes and behaviours.

Substance use prevention initiatives are tailored to reach people most at risk. For example, the “ease the burden” campaign is a targeted effort to reach men in the trades, a demographic disproportionately affected by the overdose crisis. This campaign, with over 26 million views, shows how we are raising awareness and reducing stigma in these populations.

Recognizing how important timely access to quality treatment services is, we have made significant investments to expand access, including specialized services for youth and much-needed withdrawal management, commonly referred to as detox.

The government has also made efforts to expand access to services that reduce harms and prevent overdose deaths. This includes the distribution of naloxone and widespread training. We have made it easier for communities to establish and provide consumption sites. There are currently 39 sites across the country, which have seen over 4.3 million visits, responding to nearly 50,000 overdoses. For many, these sites are the only direct experience people will have with health providers. As a result, there have been over 257,000 referrals to health and social services.

Simultaneously, our law enforcement and border officials are actively countering illegal drug production, diversion, trafficking and related crimes.

As part of the response to this crisis, the government also continues to support research that is helping us to better understand substance use in Canada and that allows for the development of evidence-based policies and programs.

Before I close, I wanted to mention that on October 30, 2023, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health launched a renewed Canadian drugs and substances strategy. This strategy presents a compassionate, equitable, collaborative, and comprehensive federal approach to this crisis and may be of interest as you conduct your study.

In conclusion, it is essential to understand that federal actions alone will not end the overdose crisis. We stand committed to ongoing collaboration with provinces and territories, indigenous communities, families and people with lived or living experience.

We welcome the opportunity to inform your important study and are prepared to respond to any questions you may have.

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