More than two people each day are dying of opioid overdoses in Ontario, a grim tally that underscores the soaring use and abuse of the potent narcotics, researchers say. Oxycodone no longer deadliest drugPrior to 2012, oxycodone was the most common culprit in opioid-related deaths. has witnessed "an enormous rise" in illicit fentanyl deaths in the last two years. Deaths occur among all ages, income bracketsThe researchers said opioid-related deaths occur among both sexes, all ages and all income brackets. Opioid-related deaths in Ontario now exceed the number of those killed in motor vehicle accidents, said Gomes, noting that in 2014, there were 676 fatal overdoses in the province compared to 481 road fatalities.

Source: CBC News April 20, 2017 12:11 UTC