The acute toxicity (sometimes called "overdose" or "poisoning") crisis has affected Canadians across all stages of life, including youth, adults and older adults. Our biological risks and exposures to substances change as we age. Based on a national chart review study of coroner and medical examiner data on acute toxicity deaths in 2016 and 2017, this analysis compares the burden of deaths and circumstances of death, locations of acute toxicity event and death, health history and substances contributing to death of people, by sex and life stage.
La crise des intoxications aiguës (parfois appelées « surdoses » ou « empoisonnements ») touche la population canadienne à toutes les étapes de vie, que ce soit les jeunes, les adultes ou les aînés. Les risques biologiques et l’exposition aux substances changent avec l’âge. Cette analyse, fondée sur une étude nationale portant sur l’examen des dossiers des coroners et des médecins légistes sur les décès attribuables à une intoxication aiguë en 2016 et 2017, compare le fardeau des décès et les circonstances du décès, le lieu de l’intoxication aiguë et du décès, les antécédents en matière de santé et les substances qui contribuent au décès des personnes, selon le sexe et le stade de la vie.
Keywords: Canada; acute toxicity deaths; adults; older adults; substance use; youth.
This analysis reveals key differences in the characteristics of acute toxicity deaths by sex and life stage, and suggests potential intervention points for each group. Many people across demographics were alone while using substances before the acute toxicity event, and many were alone when they died. Youth, particularly female youth, more often died in circumstances where someone might have been available to help by calling 911 or administering first aid and naloxone. For the people who were in contact with health care prior to their death, about one-quarter (24%–28%) of adults and older adults sought assistance for reasons related to pain. Youth more often sought assistance for a nonfatal acute toxicity event (13%–14%) or for mental health (particularly female youth, 21%) than people in other life stages. Multiple substances contributed to most deaths, and both pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical substances were common causes of death for all life stages and sexes. There are demographic differences in the specific substances contributing to death.