Trends, characteristics, and circumstances surrounding stimulant toxicity deaths in Ontario, Canada from 2018 to 2021

Original research
par
Ledlie, Shaleesa et al

Date de publication

2025

Géographie

Canada

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Oui

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

This study aims were to describe trends in accidental stimulant toxicity deaths and to characterize demographic characteristics of decedents and the circumstances surrounding death.

Constatations/points à retenir

Between 2018 and 2021, 5210 stimulant toxicity deaths were identified with the monthly rate rising from 0.4 to 1.0 per 100,000. Both cocaine and methamphetamine were involved in 16.2 % of deaths, and 56.2 % and 27.7 % involved cocaine or methamphetamine (without other stimulants), respectively. Over 80 % of deaths also involved an opioid. Among all deaths, 75.2 % of decedents were male, 53.1 % were aged 25–44, and over half of all deaths occurred in private residences (64.7 %).

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

This is a population-based repeated cross-sectional study of all accidental stimulant toxicity deaths between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2021, in Ontario, Canada. 

Mots clés

About PWUD
Harm reduction
Illegal drugs
Mortality
Opioids
Overdose
Peer/PWLLE program involvement
Stimulants