Assessment of the National Chart Review Study on Substance-related Acute Toxicity Deaths From 2016 to 2017
Canada continues to experience an overdose crisis with more than 35,000 people dying from opioid-related overdoses since 2016 (ref.). To support the national evidence-base needed to respond to the crisis, the Substance-related Harms Division at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has been working closely with provinces and territories on a national chart review study to address data gaps. Detailed information from coroner and medical examiner files was collected to describe the characteristics of people who died from a substance-related acute toxicity in Canada, including the circumstances of death and the specific substances involved. PHAC has engaged SRDC to conduct an assessment of this national study’s design and implementation to identify lessons learned and support planning for future studies. This assessment will also explore the extent to which the study findings have informed, or could inform, policies and decision-making. Given the critical nature of the overdose crisis, it is vitally important to assess and learn from this first-of-its-kind national study to identify opportunities for improvement and future research to better understand and address the overdose crisis as it evolves.
Project Details
Published: December 2023
Capability: Strategic Program Review - Strengthening Capacity - Policy Research
Policy Area: Population Health - Mental Health
Population: General Population
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