New Report Finds First Nations in Ontario Face Alarming Opioid Harm – NetNewsLedger
Toronto, Ont. — Oct. 7, 2025 — A new report co-authored by the Chiefs of Ontario and the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network finds opioids are killing and harming First Nations people in Ontario at rates far above non-First Nations. The study shows the opioid-related death rate for First Nations tripled from 2019 to 2022, reaching 12.8 deaths per 10,000 in 2022—nine times higher than the 1.4 per 10,000 recorded among non-First Nations.
In total, 389 First Nations people died from overdose in 2021–2022. From 2013–2023, opioid use remained higher among First Nations, particularly among those living outside their home communities.
