A new survey showed that a concerning number of children aged 12 and older have been treated for drug overdoses in Canada.

The Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program stated that stimulants are the most common cause of reported severe or life-threatening overdoses, followed by depressants and opioids.

It also added that fatal overdoses are the leading cause of death among children and teenagers aged 10 to 18 in Western Canada.

However, it also said that the problem exists nationwide, with pediatric specialists in all ten provinces reporting treatment for overdoses.

In British Columbia, pediatrician Dr. Matthew Caruana from the children's hospital said the issue is even more concerning because the survey did not capture children and teenagers who may have overdosed but did not seek pediatric care.

Caruana continued in a statement that there is a significant need for prevention and intervention strategies for children and youth in the ongoing overdose crisis.

The study included responses to the survey from over 1,000 pediatricians from across Canada.