Shining the light on laced drugs and bringing a stop to the trafficking of laced drugs in our communities.

Trace the Lace - Ottawa.

OUR MISSION

Trace the Lace is dedicated to saving lives by raising awareness of the toxic drug supply and advocating for meaningful change to address Canada’s overdose crisis. A centralized intake system, strengthened legislation, public education, stigma reduction, and immediate government investment are all critical to reducing overdose deaths. Our mission is clear: to hold those responsible for poisoning our loved ones accountable and to seek justice for those we have lost..

Growth of overdose deaths in Ottawa.

The Facts:

  1. Between January 2016 and September 2025 - 55,032 Canadians have died from toxic opioid poisoning.

  2. From January to September 2025 alone - 4,162 lives were lost.

  3. Of these deaths, 95% were accidental, and 78% occurred in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Source: Government of Canada, “Opioid and Stimulant-related Harms in Canada,” updated March 2026

The Facts:

  1. Between January 2, 2023, and January 29, 2023, there were 263 emergency department visits because of suspected drug overdoses, with 26 deaths.

  2. July 2023 saw the highest number of confirmed opioid overdose-related emergency department visits in three years.

  3. After July 2023,  the number of emergency department visits for suspected drug overdoses declines and spikes in the first week of December 2023.

Source: Ted Raymond - CTV News February 7, 2024

“We can amplify our voices to demand change, to ensure that no more lives are needlessly lost to laced drug overdoses..”

— Natalie Bergin MSW, RSW. Trace the Lace Founder