Since 2000, deaths from drug use have increased six-fold in North America

Drug-related death rates have increased six-fold in Canada and the United States over two decades, according to recent data from the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates. We have just updated our charts with the latest data.

In 2000, drug-related death rates in Canada and the United States were reasonably similar to rates in other countries. But since then, deaths from drugs, particularly opioids, have risen sharply.

Opioids include prescription painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin, synthetic opioids like fentanyl, and drugs like heroin.

Over recent years, opioids have become common in the management of chronic pain, and they’ve become much easier to access on the illicit drug market.