# Canada’s Opioid Crisis: A Snapshot of a National Healthcare Crisis
In furthering our understanding of the ongoing national opioid crisis in Canada, we delve into this [article](https://fcpp.org/2023/09/02/review-waiting-to-die-canadas-health-care-crisis/) from the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. The crisis, largely characterized by escalating opioid overdose deaths, unchecked opioid prescriptions, increased homelessness, and a rise in crime, continues to make headlines. In this blog post, we spotlight the key points of the health care challenges that contribute to this larger crisis and offer a review of the situation.
## The Opioid Epidemic: More than just Statistics
The alarming numbers relayed by statistics are certainly significant, but they only tell part of the story. The harsh reality is that behind these numbers are individual lives lost – people waiting, sometimes helplessly, for resources and support.
### At the Heart of the Crisis: Healthcare System Challenges
A key issue addressed in the article is the challenged Canadian healthcare system. It points towards its inefficiencies and the lack of accessibility, which contribute to the escalation of the opioid crisis. The epidemic is not merely a product of drug usage trends, but also macro factors such as insufficient social services, housing problems, incriminating laws, and healthcare system failings.
The healthcare system, as per the article, struggles with obsolete work models, long – often deadly – waiting times, and failing federal remedies.
***Key Points:***
– The opioid crisis is fueled by inadequate health care solutions.
– The number of opioid prescriptions far outweighs the population increase, suggesting over-prescription.
– Waiting times for healthcare across sectors are increasing drastically.
– A significant number of opioid users are correlated with homelessness.
– The crime rate, specifically theft, has a direct correlation with opioid use.
## The Opioid Class Action: A System’s Response
Clearly, the situation calls for comprehensive actions and systemic changes. In 2021, a significant move was taken with the filing of an opioid class action lawsuit driven by victims of the crisis. This lawsuit aimed for accountability from big pharma and the health care system, which has been accused of excessive opioid medications.
Naloxone, an emergency medication used to reverse opioid overdose, is now made more accessible but this cannot be a standalone solution. This, paired with long term improvements and resource allocation in sectors like housing, healthcare, and social services, could help take considerable strides in managing this crisis.
### The Bigger Picture: Opioid Crisis Impact on Homelessness and Crime
The article also highlights a rise in homelessness and crime as linked to the opioid crisis. Those who are homeless and struggling with addiction are not separate but interconnected issues, stretching the capacity of social services and the criminal justice system.
***Key Takeaways:***
– The opioid crisis is a national healthcare crisis in urgent need of more comprehensive solutions.
– Linkages between opioid usage, homelessness, and crime must be addressed in crisis management.
– Naloxone availability should be a part of the emergency response, though not a standalone solution.
– An opioid class action is a step towards holding big pharmaceutical companies accountable.
– More resources need to be allocated to social services, housing, and healthcare for effective solutions.
In summary, the Canadian opioid crisis reflects the pressing issues of the healthcare system requiring immediate attention, from oblong waiting times to resource allocation. The opioid class action signifies a step towards accountability of big pharmaceutical companies, and the rise in homelessness and crime provide greater cause for concern.
Dealing with this opioid crisis goes beyond only addressing opioid use — it’s an examination of how our systems fail those struggling with addiction, underscore for the urgent need for better housing solutions, and the investment required in our healthcare and social services. It’s a plea for action, a call to better protect our most vulnerable individuals in the society.
It underscores that battling the opioid crisis is a collaborative effort, and it is our collective responsibility as a society to ensure no more lives are left ‘waiting to die’.
