First Nations Law

Indigenous people in Canada are six times more likely to experience an opioid-related overdose death than non-Indigenous people.

The rate of hospitalizations related to opioids and other drugs among First Nations people increased by 47 per cent from 2016 to 2018

The opioid crisis has exacerbated existing health disparities among Indigenous populations, leading to increased rates of addiction, overdose, and negative health outcomes.

Factors such as historical trauma, social determinants of health, limited access to healthcare services, and cultural disconnection contribute to the vulnerability of Indigenous communities to opioid misuse and addiction.

Indigenous peoples face barriers to accessing culturally appropriate and comprehensive addiction treatment and harm reduction services, leading to limited support for recovery.

There is a need for community-based approaches that incorporate Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and self-determination to effectively address the opioid crisis among First Nations.

Indigenous communities require increased resources and funding to develop and implement culturally safe and holistic approaches to prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.