Diving Into Substance Abuse Statistics in Winnipeg: Trends, Costs, and Interventions
Key Insights
- The City of Winnipeg reports between 6,000 and 8,000 substance use-related calls annually, with alcohol consistently making up 50% of these calls or approximately 12,730 incidents from 2020 to 2022.
- According to the Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Survey (2019), Manitoba’s alcohol consumption rate is 74%, slightly below the national average of 75%, while cannabis use in the province stands at 20%.
- Data from My Peg Canada shows that Downtown Winnipeg reports the highest alcohol-related calls (55%), while the North End leads in meth-related incidents (45%).
- The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction estimates that substance abuse cost Manitoba $1.4 billion in 2014, with 40% attributed to lost productivity and 33% to healthcare costs.
- The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) provides tailored programs for adults, youth, and families, including counseling, rehabilitation, and prevention education to combat substance abuse.
Substance abuse remains a critical challenge in Winnipeg, with thousands of cases reported annually.
According to data from the City of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services receives between 6,000 and 8,000 calls related to substance use each year.
Alcohol continues to dominate substance-related emergencies, accounting for approximately 50% of these calls from 2020 to 2022, with a total of 12,730 incidents during this period.
However, while alcohol consistently leads, opioid use has surged in recent years, making up around 20% of substance-related calls since 2020, with approximately 4,800 reports annually.
Crystal meth, another major concern, accounted for 20% of calls after the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2019, though opioids have since overtaken it as the second-most-reported substance after alcohol.
Alcohol-related incidents continue to dominate substance abuse cases, reflecting long-standing societal and health challenges.
Meanwhile, the rise in opioid-related emergencies marks a concerning shift, signaling the growing prevalence of dangerous and often fatal drugs in the community.
Crystal meth use remains significant, exacerbated by its affordability and accessibility post-pandemic.
Substance Abuse Across Regions in Canada
Manitoba’s substance abuse patterns showcase notable trends compared to other provinces.
Alcohol consumption in Manitoba (74%) aligns closely with the national average (75%) but is lower than in Quebec (81%) and Alberta (78%).
Meanwhile, cannabis use in Manitoba (20%) is slightly below the national average (22%) but significantly lower than in Nova Scotia (27%) and British Columbia (25%).
However, Manitoba’s substance use disorder rate (5%) is above the national average (4.6%), similar to Saskatchewan (5.5%) and Alberta (4.9%).
These figures indicate Manitoba faces distinct challenges in addressing substance dependence and misuse, despite moderate rates of alcohol and cannabis use.
Substance Abuse in Winnipeg Neighborhoods
A study by My Peg Canada discusses substance abuse throughout neighborhoods in Winnipeg.
Substance abuse in Winnipeg shows clear geographic disparities, with Downtown Winnipeg and the North End reporting the highest rates of alcohol, methamphetamine, and opioid-related incidents.
Downtown Winnipeg sees 55% of its substance-related calls tied to alcohol, while the North End reports the highest meth-related calls at 45%.
In contrast, neighborhoods like St. Boniface and Fort Garry report significantly lower rates of substance-related calls, suggesting variations in socioeconomic conditions and access to services.
Demographic Breakdown of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse impacts different demographic groups in varying ways, shaped by factors like age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Insights from the Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Survey (2019) provide a clearer picture of how substance use trends differ across these categories.
Substance Use by Age Group
Young adults aged 15–24 report the highest cannabis use (44%) and substance use disorder rates (6%). Meanwhile, alcohol use peaks among individuals aged 25–34 (82%), likely due to lifestyle factors such as social drinking and workplace stress.
Older adults (55+) report lower rates of cannabis use (8%) but remain significant consumers of alcohol (72%), which may reflect cultural norms and availability.
Substance Use by Gender
Men consistently report higher rates of alcohol (80%) and cannabis use (24%) compared to women (72% and 20%, respectively). Men are also twice as likely to experience substance use disorders (6% vs. 3%).
Substance Use by Income Level
Alcohol use increases with income, reaching 83% among high-income groups, likely due to greater access and social occasions involving alcohol.
However, substance use disorders are most prevalent among low-income individuals (7%), reflecting the intersection of stress, limited resources, and access to healthcare.
Costs and Consequences of Substance Abuse
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction quantifies the economic costs and social burdens of substance abuse. This affects healthcare systems, productivity, and community well-being.
In 2014, substance abuse cost Manitoba approximately $1.4 billion, equating to $1,094 per resident.
The most substantial burden was due to lost productivity, accounting for 40% ($555 million) of the total cost. This includes losses from premature deaths and long-term disabilities that reduce workforce participation.
Healthcare expenses comprised 33% ($458 million), covering hospitalizations, emergency services, and treatment programs.
Criminal justice costs, including policing, court proceedings, and incarceration, represented 19% ($274 million). Other direct costs, such as expenses related to traffic collisions and fire damage, made up the remaining 8% ($115 million).
Alcohol was the primary contributor to these costs, responsible for 41% of the total economic burden, followed by tobacco at 31%.
Interventions and Solutions to Substance Abuse
Winnipeg has implemented various programs and services to combat substance abuse, focusing on prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.
These initiatives aim to support individuals struggling with addiction and mitigate the broader social and economic impacts on the community.
The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) plays a pivotal role by offering tailored programs for different demographics, including adults, youth, and families.
Their services range from counseling and rehabilitation to educational initiatives aimed at preventing substance misuse.
The Bruce Oake Recovery Centre complements these efforts by providing residential treatment options, focusing on long-term recovery and community reintegration.
This facility addresses the need for structured, supportive environments where individuals can work towards sustained sobriety.
Meanwhile, the Manitoba Addictions Helpline serves as a centralized resource, guiding individuals to appropriate services based on their specific needs and circumstances.
By streamlining access to information and support, the helpline ensures that help is readily available to those seeking it.
Future of Substance Abuse in Winnipeg
Winnipeg faces a concerning trajectory in substance use-related harms, with hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and fatalities steadily increasing in recent years.
Data from the City of Winnipeg shows that Winnipeg is likely to see continued increases in substance-related emergency calls, particularly involving opioids and methamphetamines.
Alcohol remains the most frequently reported substance, consistently accounting for 50% of all substance-related calls, with approximately 12,730 incidents annually.
However, opioid-related calls, currently making up 20% (4,800 incidents annually), are expected to rise, reflecting the increasing prevalence of opioids in Canada.
Similarly, crystal meth-related incidents, also at 20% (4,000 annual calls), show no signs of decline, fueled by the affordability and availability of this drug post-pandemic.
If these trends persist, Winnipeg’s healthcare and emergency services may face heightened pressure, with a potential escalation in opioid and meth-related emergencies posing significant challenges.
References
- City of Winnipeg. (n.d.). Substance use prevention and response. Retrieved from https://www.winnipeg.ca/services-programs/emergency-public-safety/injury-illness-prevention/substance-use#:~:text=If%20you%20need%20emergency%20help,approximately%2021%20calls%20per%20day
- Health Canada. (2019). Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CADS): Table 16. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-alcohol-drugs-survey/2019-summary/detailed-tables.html#t16
- Health Canada. (2019). Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CADS): Table 5. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-alcohol-drugs-survey/2019-summary/detailed-tables.html#t5
- Health Canada. (2019). Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CADS): Table 2. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-alcohol-drugs-survey/2019-summary/detailed-tables.html#t2
- Health Canada. (2019). Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CADS) 2019 summary. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-alcohol-drugs-survey/2019-summary.html
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). (2018). Canadian substance use costs and harms: Manitoba infographic. Retrieved from https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-05/CSUCH-Canadian-Substance-Use-Costs-Harms-Manitoba-Infographic-2018-en.pdf
- Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM). (n.d.). Programs and services. Retrieved from https://afm.mb.ca/programs-and-services/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Bruce Oake Recovery Centre. (n.d.). Bruce Oake Recovery Centre. Retrieved from https://www.bruceoakerecoverycentre.ca/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Manitoba Addictions Helpline. (n.d.). Manitoba addictions helpline. Retrieved from https://mbaddictionhelp.ca/?utm_source=chatgpt.com