This report highlights a growing concern around stimulant use and related harms in Canada, particularly involving cocaine and methamphetamine. Data from multiple national sources show that stimulant-related deaths have significantly increased, with the rate of toxicity deaths doubling between 2018 and 2024.

At the same time, stimulants are increasingly involved in opioid-related deaths, indicating a rise in polysubstance use across most provinces and territories. The health impacts of stimulant use differ from opioids, with the main risks linked to cardiovascular complications, while opioids...

Drug addiction and its associated consequences, such as long-term dependence, bloodborne illnesses, HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, social isolation, and criminal activity, are gradually being recognised as serious issues that need to be addressed, especially among displaced populations. Due to disputes and conflict in their country, around 1.44 million Afghan refugees (both registered and unregistered) are currently residing in Pakistan in a situation of protracted displacement and significant uncertainty, even though around 4 million Afghan refugees have been repatriated back to...

Background
A non-medicalized safer supply model called a “Compassion Club” has recently been evaluated. The model involved providing rigorously tested and accurately labeled illicit substances to members at cost. Operating for 14 months in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, the initiative aimed to explore the effects and feasibility of this approach among individuals at risk of fatal overdose.

Methods
At the one-year mark, 43 club members completed a survey for this cross-sectional analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the perceived impact of membership on factors like drug use...