Canada's Response to the Opioid Crisis

Where are we now? Where are we headed?

By now, the phrase “opioid crisis” is likely familiar to you and the majority of households across Canada. Perhaps this familiarity stems from stories heard of family or friends being directly impacted, or perhaps from community initiatives that are attempting to raise awareness. Whatever the reason may be, it is surely a product of the ever-increasing prevalence of opioid addiction, as seen through increased emergency response calls, hospitalizations, and deaths related to opioids across Canada.1 With growing awareness in the public eye, it is important to assess the role that has been played by our government in addressing such a widespread issue. Admittedly, there is no simple solution to such a complex epidemic, but through various efforts the Canadian government has at least demonstrated its awareness of responsibility.

What has been done? Fortunately, there has been significant action taken by the Canadian government to combat the national opioid crisis. In the year 2020, there has been an increase in the allocation of funds towards access to treatment and harm reduction involving substance abuse, mental health, and homelessness in comparison to previous years.1 In addition to this overarching funding, there is specific funding that has gone into education and training for law enforcement as well as community-based organizations, particularly to address the exacerbation of the opioid crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.1 Microscale initiatives like these often have the most direct impact, as individuals who are benefitting from them are able to facilitate change within communities across the country. In 2004, a Canadian study of patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for OUD found that 86% of individuals that abuse only prescription opioids illicitly were initially prescribed opioids for pain management.2 Despite there being no recent data on these statistics, the government reassessed chronic pain management and opioid prescribing guidelines this year.3 This suggests that the issue persists, and the results of their analysis have yet to show significant results. They do, however, show promise for future impact.

What is left to be done? It is vital that the efforts being made by the Canadian government remain consistent in their progress and attention. The progression toward solutions must match or even surpass the alarming rate at which the severity of this epidemic is continuing to increase. It is recommended that the government continues with its efforts, especially toward providing access to treatment and harm reduction for affected individuals. In addition to this, the stigma surrounding opioid use disorder should continue to be addressed in the public eye, as individual education and awareness will serve as a driving force for the government’s initiative. It is equally important for the government to play an active role in addressing this stigma. A prime example of this is educating healthcare professionals that those who live with opioid use disorder are not to be blamed for their condition. This is a far too common assumption that is being made and the result is an understandable hesitation of seeking help, as well as an unjustified decrease in the quality of care received. It is important to remove any deterrents that discourage individuals from seeking help for opioid use, so that the efforts made in advancing treatment options may benefit those they are designed to help. By making efforts like this, components of a complex and multi-faceted solution may begin to be assembled, and Canada will further progress their management of the opioid crisis.

References

  1. Canada H. Government of Canada [Internet]. Federal actions on opioids to date - Canada.ca. / Gouvernement du Canada; 2020 [cited 2020Dec18]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/problematic-prescription-drug-use/opioids/federal-actions/overview.html
  2. Brands B, Blake J, Sproule B, Gourlay D, Busto U. Prescription opioid abuse in patients presenting for methadone maintenance treatment. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2004;73(2):199–207.
  3. Canada H. Government of Canada [Internet]. Canadian Pain Task Force Report: September 2020 - Canada.ca. / Gouvernement du Canada; 2020 [cited 2020Dec18]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-bodies/canadian-pain-task-force/report-2020.html
Marcus Yurchuk