A recently obtained access-to-information request from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reveals the total number of drug toxicity deaths (accident, suicide, undetermined) in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2023 at 73. There were 51 deaths in the Eastern zone, 7 in Central, 10 in Western, and 5 in Labrador-Grenfell.
There were 18 deaths in the All Opioids without Stimulants (A) drug class, 18 in the All Stimulants without Opioids (B) class, 18 in the Both Opioids and Stimulants (C) class, 36 in the All Opioid Total (A+C) class, and 36 in the All Stimulant Total (B+C) class.
There were 13 deaths due to Benzodiazepines, 34 due to Cocaine, 9 due to Fentanyl, and 11 due to Alcohol (Ethanol).
Examples of substances by class reported in toxicology results 2023 include Opioids (Morphine, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, Codeine, Oxymorphone, Fentanyl, Isotonitazine, Para-flurofentanyl, Methadone, Buprenorphine), Stimulants (Cocaine, Methylphenidate, MDMA), Benzodiazepines (Lorazepam, Clonazepam, Temazepam, Bromazolam, Diazepam), and Rare and Novel (Bromazolam, Isotonitazine, Para-flurofentanyl).
2023 is still an open year, meaning that data collection is not complete, as pending cases remain open. The data includes deaths that occurred in Newfoundland and Labrador and reviewed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. They define drug toxicity death as a death caused by intoxication or poisoning due to drug use, regardless of intent.
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Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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