Rates of fatal opioid overdoses in Nova Scotia saw a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, new research from Dalhousie University indicates that these rates rose again shortly after the pandemic period. This alarming trend highlights the ongoing challenges posed by the opioid crisis in the region.

Researchers examined opioid death trends in Nova Scotia from 2009 to 2023, drawing a contrast between deaths linked to pharmaceutical opioids and those associated with illicit opioids. Pharmaceutical opioids are legally prescribed drugs used for pain relief, while illicit opioids include unregulated substances such as fentanyl, which is often combined with various other drugs. The study points to significant variations in death rates associated with these different categories of opioids.

Through an analysis of population-based data and annual opioid death rates categorized by health zones and drug types, the study found that opioid-related deaths dropped from 2019 to 2021. This decline was noteworthy in the context of the ongoing opioid crisis, which had reached concerning levels prior to the pandemic. However, the research indicated a resurgence in fatal incidents, which were largely attributed to a rise in illicit opioid-related deaths.

In recent years, experts have observed an increased number of deaths due to the illegal drug supply becoming increasingly contaminated with potent opioids. This severe trend has raised alarms across the healthcare and legal communities, underscoring the implications of dangerous drug mixtures entering the market. According to government sources, the heightened potency of illegal drugs led to a spike in overdose-related deaths around 2016, a concerning trend that continues to persist.

Moreover, the study from Dalhousie points out that Nova Scotia has reported more pharmaceutical-related deaths compared to other provinces in Canada. Statistics Canada further corroborates this data, indicating a rise in deaths from opioid toxicity in the province. From January to March, Nova Scotia recorded 15 opioid-related deaths, only two shy of the total in the first quarter of 2024, signaling a troubling continuity of fatalities associated with opioid use.

The report was co-authored by Dr. Cindy Feng, an associate professor, and Dr. Mark Asbridge, a professor in Dalhousie's Department of Community Health and Epidemiology. Their findings suggest that illicit drugs are a significant contributing factor to opioid-related deaths in Nova Scotia.

Study Findings: A Regional Overview

• Central Zone: A noted increase in illicit opioid deaths following the pandemic.
• Eastern Zone: Previously elevated pharmaceutical opioid deaths declined from 2020 to 2021 but have since risen slightly.
• Northern Zone: A sharp increase in illicit opioid deaths has been observed.
• Western Zone: This region consistently reports the lowest rates of opioid-related deaths.