An Examination of the Opioid Crisis in Calgary and the Steps Towards Abatement

In the face of the ongoing opioid epidemic in Canada, the city of Calgary has particularly grappled with the detrimental effects of this public health crisis. A troubling emergence of social and public order issues, manifested through an increase in crime rates and a burgeoning homeless population, signals an urgently ravaging scenario. This post examines the state of the Calgary opioid crisis, revealing the pressing need for intervention and the initiation of significant steps towards abatement. Primary source material used in this post can be found here.

Impacts of the Opioid Crisis in Calgary

The opioid crisis has triggered grave problems in Calgary, with repercussions reaching various strata of society. Below is a list outlining the most significant impacts:

• Increased Crime Rates: There has been a notable surge in crime around the city’s Supervised Consumption Site. The correlation between the opioid crisis and a rise in crime rates pressures city leaders to focus on counteractive initiatives.
• Amplified Homelessness: The opioid epidemic exacerbates homelessness and associated issues, leading towards a degraded social fabric and posing a significant threat to public order.
• Public Health Concerns: Increased opioid addiction compromises public health through the risk of overdose, the spread of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C, and through the cycle of addiction itself.

Efforts to Address the Opioid Crisis

Incremental and strategic efforts are at work in Calgary to address the manifold issues catalysed by this opioid crisis:

Supervised Consumption Sites

A central plank of the city’s response to the crisis is the introduction of Supervised Consumption Sites (SCS). These facilities provide a safe and clean environment for drug consumption, reducing the risk of overdose and the proliferation of diseases. While critics argue that this approach could potentially flare social disorder, a high rate of opioid-related hospitalization and deaths in Calgary warrants this counteractive measure.

Naloxone Kits and Training

The provision of naloxone kits, a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose, is another critical strategy. The wide distribution of these kits, paired with the necessary training for use, provides an immediate life-saving tool for those vulnerable within this crisis.

Canadian Opioid Abatement Class Action

Driven by a need for accountability, Calgary is part of a national lawsuit aimed at 40 pharmaceutical companies. The suit alleges negligence and corruption on the part of drug producers in the over-marketing of opioids, contributing to the crisis. With potential court-ordered compensation, these funds could be channelled into further counter-crisis initiatives.

A Path Forward

While the opioid crisis continues to strike Calgary and its citizens, the coordinated effort in response represents a beacon of unity. The introduction of Supervised Consumption Sites, increased naloxone accessibility and the pursuit of legal actions against pharmaceutical companies underline the city’s unwavering commitment to progress and recovery.

Key Takeaways

What we can glean from this examination of the Calgary opioid crisis:

• The opioid crisis has a range of negative impacts on the city, including an increase in crime rates and a rise in homelessness.
• Calgary is engaging various strategies to combat the crisis, including the establishment of Supervised Consumption Sites, wide distribution of naloxone kits, and participation in the nationwide Canadian opioid abatement class action.
• Awareness, cooperation and comprehensive efforts are key to mitigating the effects of the opioid crisis, regaining the public health and safety of Calgary, and overcoming this profound challenge.

In ending message, it is of paramount importance that we remain aware, informed and engaged about the state and impact of the opioid crisis on our communities. Our collective effort towards addressing this issue right at its roots would make headway in restoring Calgary’s public health, order, and safety.