Hospital discharges for substance-related injuries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive surveillance study using administrative data.

We observed an increase in hospital discharges for substance-related injuries during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with the same time period before the pandemic. This work will provide useful insight into the ongoing management of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as future policy and health care planning related to substance use in Canada.