Fentanyl 4 times higher in Vancouver wastewater than in other Canadian cities
Just-released results of a federal wastewater survey appear to back up other evidence that drug use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and suggest fentanyl use was significantly higher in Vancouver than in other major Canadian cities.
Data collected during the Canadian Wastewater Survey, results of which were posted by Statistics Canada Monday, showed the per-capita loads of fentanyl metabolite in Vancouver's samples were more than four times higher than in any other city examined.
Metabolites are substances made by the body to break down food, drugs or chemicals, therefore their presence suggests the source of the metabolites had ingested the associated substances.
According to StatCan, this was the case with samples from both March to July 2019 and from January to July 2020.
The CWS tested wastewater in five cities (Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax) for the presence of 14 drugs. The results showed levels of cannabis, fentanyl and methamphetamine "significantly increased" early in the pandemic, StatCan said.
Compared to the others, the synthetic opioid fentanyl saw an even more notable increase in wastewater samples as COVID-19 took hold of the country.
"On average, wastewater loads of fentanyl in April 2020 were similar to those observed in the months preceding the pandemic, but were almost twice as high in May, and close to three times higher in June and July."
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Vancouver's samples showed the highest amount of fentanyl, followed by Edmonton and Toronto, then Montreal and Halifax.
Earlier this year, B.C. marked five years since the declaration of a public health crisis spurred by an increase in illicit drug overdoses.
The BC Coroners Service has not yet released data for the first seven months of the year, but an update in June suggested "extreme concentrations" of fentanyl have been found in increasingly more samples of the province's drug supply.
May was the 15th month in a row in B.C. with more than 100 deaths per month due to drug toxicity.
Looking at the period covered by the latest CWS, the coroner had warned 2020 could be B.C.'s deadliest year of the overdose crisis.
Throughout the spring and summer months, the chief coroner reported spiking overdose deaths, including in May when the province saw its highest monthly toll ever.
Many have spoken out about the impacts of the pandemic on both the drug supply and risks users are taking.
Border closures have impacted the traditional supply chain, meaning local dealers have at times had to create their own product. This can lead to inconsistent or unfamiliar doses than a user expects.
Additionally, with the threat of catching COVID-19, some opted to use alone and were hesitant to go to an emergency room. These are among the factors cited by health officials as having an impact on B.C.'s illicit drug death toll.
Data from other StatCan surveys, as well as results from death counts during the pandemic, also suggest an increase in use and in accidental overdoses.
"Results from the CWS are further contributing to this evidence," the federal agency wrote.
According to the CWS data, use of cannabis went up in the initial months, when compared with earlier in the year, but then reverted to pre-pandemic levels.
Halifax had the highest the amount of cannabis metabolite in its wastewater samples, followed by Edmonton and Vancouver. Montreal and Toronto had the lowest, according to StatCan, data backed up by its National Cannabis Survey.
When it comes to methamphetamine (meth), nearly twice as much of the drug entered Edmonton's sewers than Vancouver's. StatCan said this data is consistent with crime-based statistics, which show meth possession offences in 2018 were highest in Edmonton, followed by Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto and Halifax.
It's unclear what use this data may have in the short term, but StatCan said the ongoing collection of wastewater samples will "contribute to a better understanding of the progression and the shifting landscape of drug consumption across Canada during and beyond the pandemic."
The agency said the information could be used by public health organizations and law enforcement to help guide their policies in the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.