Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
The objectives of this study were to understand the characteristics of youth (aged 12-24 years) dying of accidental acute toxicity in Canada and examine the substances contributing to and circumstances surrounding youth substance-related acute toxicity deaths (ATDs).
Findings/Key points
Of the 732 youth who died of accidental acute toxicity in 2016-2017, most (94%) were aged 18 to 24 years. Youth aged 20 to 24 who were unemployed, unhoused or living in collective housing were overrepresented among accidental ATDs. Many of the youth aged 12 to 24 who died of accidental acute toxicity had a documented history of substance use. Fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine were the most common substances contributing to death, and 38% of the deaths were witnessed or potentially witnessed.
Design/methods
Data from a national chart review study of coroner and medical examiner data on ATDs that occurred in Canada between 2016 and 2017 were used to conduct descriptive analyses with proportions, mortality rates and proportionate mortality rates.
