"Respondents were asked about past-year use of illegal drugs including cocaine or crack, ecstasy, speed or methamphetamines, hallucinogens and heroin. This section excludes cannabis.
"Past-year use of at least one of five illegal drugs was 3% (987,000), an increase from 2% (678,000) compared to 2015, and 2% (458,000) compared to 2013. This increase is associated with an increase in the use of cocaine, compared to 2015 and 2013.
"Overall, prevalence of past-year use of these illegal drugs was higher among males (5% or 719,000) than females (2% or 268,000). There was an increase in past-year use of illegal drugs for both males and females, compared to 2015 (5% vs. 3% and 2% vs. 1% respectively).
"Past-year use of at least one of five illegal drugs was higher among youth aged 15 to 19 (4% or 81,000) and young adults aged 20 to 24 (10% or 241,000) than among adults aged 25 and older (3% or 665,000).
"While past-year illegal drug use remained low, there was an increase in the prevalence of use of cocaine; 2% (730,000) of Canadians reported using cocaine, an increase from 1% (353,000) compared to 2015, and 1% (259,000) compared to 2013. Cocaine use among adults aged 25 and older was 2% in 2017, an increase from 1% in 2015, and 1% in 2013. There was no change in the prevalence of use of hallucinogens (1% or 443,000), or ecstasy (1% or 271,000). The prevalence of heroin, speed/methamphetamine or salvia use was not reportable due to small sample size.
"Past-year use was more prevalent among males than females for cocaine (4% males vs. 1% females) and hallucinogens (2% males vs. 1% females)."
Government of Canada. Canadian tobacco, alcohol and drugs survey (CTADS): summary of results for 2017. Published January 4, 2019.
