Illicit drug toxicity from opioid, stimulant or sedative use in adolescents: results of a Canadian one-time cross-sectional study

Matthew Carwana; Eva Moore; Helia Shariati; Hasina Samji; Nicholas Chadi

doi:10.1093/pch/pxae104

Illicit drug toxicity from opioid, stimulant or sedative use in adolescents: results of a Canadian one-time cross-sectional study

Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Apr 1;30(4):320-326. doi: 10.1093/pch/pxae104. eCollection 2025 Jul.

Authors

Matthew Carwana^{1

2

3}, Eva Moore^{1

2}, Helia Shariati¹, Hasina Samji^{3

4}, Nicholas Chadi^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
² BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
³ Human Early Learning Partnership, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
⁴ Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
⁵ Department of Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
⁶ CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Abstract

Background: Illicit drug toxicity is an escalating public health emergency. Usually framed as an adult issue, adolescents are significantly impacted. Little is currently known about the interface between Canadian paediatric physicians and adolescents experiencing severe health events from illicit drug toxicity.

Objectives: (1) To determine the proportion of paediatricians in Canada who care for young people between 12 and 18 years who have managed cases of illicit drug toxicity; (2) to identify the characteristics of paediatricians that provide this care; and (3) to describe respondents' awareness of substance use-oriented services for youth in their home communities.

Methods: A one-time descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2022. Clinicians self-reported cases of illicit drug toxicity from opioids, stimulants and sedatives for adolescents 12 to 18 years old over the preceding 24-month period. Respondents also self-reported their knowledge of substance use-focussed services for children and adolescents in their communities.

Results: A total of 1027/2791 (response rate 37%) physicians completed the survey. Most respondents (n = 934, 91%) reported providing medical care to children and youth 12 years of age and over. 128/934 (13.7%) reported caring for at least one case of illicit drug toxicity. The majority of case reporters were general paediatricians (43%). Overall awareness of substance-related services was limited.

Conclusion: A considerable proportion of respondents provided care for illicit drug toxicity over 24 months. This contrasts with a relatively low level of awareness of services for substance use in this population. Further research and education can support patients and physicians alike in the care of adolescent illicit drug toxicity.

Keywords: Adolescent health; Epidemiology; Illicit drug toxicity; Substance use.

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