Drug-related deaths in Quebec have soared, with a troubling 30% rise reported in the first half of 2024, according to the province’s public health institute, INSPQ. While new Health Canada data shows a national drop in opioid-related deaths and hospitalisations by over 55% between 2023 and 2024, Quebec’s numbers tell a grimmer story. Between January and September 2024, the province recorded 485 opioid overdose deaths, up from 363 during the same period in 2023, and further numbers for the year are yet to be released.
Among these tragedies was 15-year-old Mathis Boivin, who lost his life to a fatal overdose of Nitazene in December 2023. Nitazene is a synthetic opioid five times stronger than fentanyl, an alarming example of the increasing potency of street drugs. His father, Christian Boivin, continues to grieve, stating, “We think about Mathis all the time, all the time. Even if it’s more than a year now, it’s like yesterday for us.” He believes not enough is being done to prevent such tragedies. “It’s more dangerous than before, and it’s going to continue to go like this,” he warns.
The rising drug potency is reflected in healthcare statistics. Emergency room visits for suspected opioid poisonings in Quebec spiked by 38% over the past year, stressing the strain on medical resources and families alike. Dr Gabrielle Page, a Montreal-based psychologist, highlighted that, while prescribed opioids come with stringent risk-versus-benefit considerations, the majority of today’s crisis stems from unregulated drugs like fentanyl on the streets.
Since 2016, nearly 50,000 Canadians have died due to opioid use. Despite the national decline in deaths, families like the Boivins remain painfully aware of the persisting crisis. “It’s a silent crisis,” Boivin states. “The government, yes they put money, but is it enough? I’m not sure.” He urges parents to educate themselves about drugs, recognise warning signs, and have lifesaving tools, such as naloxone, ready at home.
Experts and affected families agree—awareness and prevention education are critical in combatting this crisis. For the sake of future generations, we must address the risks of illicit drugs and promote harm reduction initiatives more actively. The opioid crisis in Quebec is tearing through communities, leaving families devastated and searching for answers. Tackling this growing issue requires collective action, where education, prevention, and support come together to save lives.
Source: CTV News
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