Drug Overdose In Canada

Drug overdose is a major public health concern. Among all the drug-related deaths, the opioid class of drug is a significant cause of overdose-related fatalities. According to the World Drug Report (2016), roughly a third to a half of all drug-related deaths are due to overdose, and of those, opioids are the most common substance. Canada has also been ranked as the second largest consumer of prescription opioids in the world with a 203% increase in usage between 2000 and 2010 (International Narcotics Control Board, 2011). With the number of opioid-related deaths rapidly growing, it is extremely important for patients, doctors and pharmacists to realize the problem and develop a solution to treat this severe national-wide opioid crisis.
Opioids are substances collected from the seed pod of the opium poppy that grows in southern Asia (Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, 2013). They are commonly known as “painkillers” …show more content…
As stated by the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (2013), “only a few provinces actively report overdose fatalities which make it difficult to gauge the extent of opioid-related overdose deaths and injuries across Canada” (p. 5). Every provincial health care organization should update their status of overdose cases to Health Canada. Also, Health Canada can make posters or produce advertisements to propagate knowledge about opioid overdose situation in Canada. Posters that include symptoms of opioid overdose and instruction for anyone who finds an overdosed user can be displayed at bus stop, bars, restaurants, and areas where most drug users appear. Importantly, family members or friends of people who currently use opioids should have a basic understanding and instruction of treating opioid overdose since they might be the first responder to the emergency. Also, educating opioid users to carry antagonists such as naloxone when using opioids in order to prevent accidently overdose is