The Urgency of Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Canada
With the continuing escalation of the opioid crisis plaguing communities across Canada, civic and community leaders have an urgent task at hand – to address and act upon the situation swiftly and effectively. Our latest update, originating from Ontario’s Algoma–Manitoulin riding, reveals the severity of the situation and the call to the provincial government to treat the opioid crisis with the requisite urgency and priority it warrants.
Impact of the Opioid Crisis
The consequences and repercussions of the opioid crisis have been significant and devastating. They are evident in increasing rates of overdose deaths, amplified healthcare costs, and heightened crime levels. Notably, it has exacerbated homelessness and inequality. The continued surge in opioid-related deaths, with Algoma Public Health reporting a spike of 70%, is a clear indicator of the crisis’s lethal nature.
Effects on Homelessness and the Community
The crisis is inextricably tied to homelessness, from both causal and consequential perspectives. It is often a destination for those struggling with addiction, and inversely, the hard circumstances of homelessness can lead to substance misuse. Equally noteworthy is the connection between addiction-related crime and the broader community context, with instances of theft and property crimes escalating as individuals seek resources to support their addiction.
Response to the Opioid Crisis
The call is resounding for the Ford government to treat the opioid epidemic as a health crisis and to approach its resolution accordingly. Demand has risen for a comprehensively structured and adequately funded opioid strategy that would include prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement components. The shortfall in the availability of detox centers and treatment options is a particular concern, with the call for improvements to ‘bed-based’ and community care.
Provincial and Local Initiatives
Some noteworthy initiatives already exist, such as the distribution of the life-saving drug naloxone, which reverses opioid overdoses. However, the existing responses to date are seen as insufficient. Michael Mantha, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Algoma–Manitoulin, emphasises that “people are dying, families are suffering, and communities are crumbling.”
Further actions being urged include:
- Setting up more safe injection sites
- Improving public education about the addictive risks of opioids
- Expanding coverage for addiction treatment services
The Canadian Opioid Abatement Class Action
Another facet of the fight against the opioid crisis is the Canadian Opioid Abatement Class Action. An initiative that carries the weight of a united front, its purpose is to pursue legal remedy for the public health crisis. The claim against pharmaceutical companies seeks consequential resources to fund and renew efforts against the opioid crisis.
What the Litigation Hopes to Achieve
The litigation seeks to hold accountable the pharmaceutical companies for their role in the crisis. It also aims to recoup some of the costs that communities have had to shoulder due to the devastating impacts of the opioid epidemic, from increased healthcare spending to community support services.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the opioid crisis remains an urgent issue requiring strategic, holistic, and adequately funded responses. The impact has been profound on individuals, families, and communities, exacerbating homelessness, increasing crime rates, and escalating healthcare costs. Demand rises for the Ford government to catalyze action that combines prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement. Paramount to addressing the opioid crisis will be bolstering and expanding existing initiatives, like the naloxone distribution and the Canadian Opioid Abatement Class Action, and creating pathways to more comprehensive and accessible opioid addiction treatment services.
