Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
This study explored coroner and medical examiner (C/ME) perspectives of contextual risk factors and characteristics associated with deaths from acute toxic effects of opioids and other illegal substances in Canada.
Findings/Key points
Deaths crossed demographic and socioeconomic groups and included people who used substances on occasion, chronically, or for the first time. Using alone presents risk, while using in the presence of others can also contribute to risk if others are unable or unprepared to respond. People who died from a substance-related acute toxicity often had one or more contextual risk factors: contaminated substances, history of substance use, history of chronic pain and decreased tolerance. Social contextual factors contributing to deaths included diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness, stigma, lack of support and lack of follow-up from health care.
Français : https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/rapports-publications/…
Design/methods
In-depth interviews were conducted with 36 C/MEs in eight provinces and territories.