DB 9
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Queens University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
373
Subject
Medicine
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by yanojan22
Familiarize yourself with some of the contextual features and policy ideas
associated with the Canadian opioid crisis by reading the background
materials provided in the module (tasks 1 and 2), and then post to the
discussion forum, sharing your ideas on the following scenario (task 3).
Imagine: in response to a Canadian cities'
Mayor's Task Force report
, the
federal government has set up a new national working group to develop a
pan-Canadian action plan. The goal of the working group is to make
recommendations that would dramatically reduce opioid use, overdoses,
and deaths in Canada. The working group is seeking input from the
Canadian public. What 1-3 recommendations would you make to the
working group about how best to address the opioid crisis?
The Canadian Opioid Crisis is a prevalent issue in our nation which requires urgent
attention. Opioids are associated with many negative health effects which have affected tens of
thousands of individuals leading to approximately 34,400 opioid toxicity deaths in Canada from
January 2016 to September 2022 (King & Katan, 2022). The increase in opioid-related negative
effects has many different factors like its highly addictive nature, the increasingly volatile
unregulated drug supply, barriers to accessing treatment/preventative measures, etc. (Gomes &
Leece, 2021). I recommend some policies to begin reducing numbers and to directly address the
Canadian Opioid Crisis. Firstly, it is important to have methods to prevent opioid overdose.
Therefore, the increased implementation of harm reduction programs would be extremely
beneficial. It is an evidence-based approach that adequately equips individuals who use drugs
with life-saving tools and information to potentially save their lives (SAMHSA, 2023). While
education is a major social determinant of health, it could prove likely in drastically reducing the
number of affected individuals leading to mortality. Additionally, increased funding for rehab
clinics would be extremely useful for individuals going through addiction as these individuals
are typically most at risk of overdose. This will reduce barriers to treatment/preventative
measures.
References
Gomes, T., & Leece, K. (2021).
A report prepared by: On behalf of: The Ontario Drug Policy
Research Network Changing Circumstances Surrounding Opioid-Related Deaths in
Ontario during the COVID-19 Pandemic
.
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/c/2021/changing-circumstances-
surrounding-opioid-related-deaths.pdf?la=en#:~:text=5%20This%20increase%20in
%20drug
King, S., & Katan, C. (2022).
Opioids | Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
.
Ccsa.ca. https://www.ccsa.ca/opioids#:~:text=Canada%20is%20experiencing%20a
%20drug,involved%20stimulants%20or%20other%20substances.
SAMHSA. (2023).
Harm Reduction
. Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/harm-
reduction
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help