Unmasking the true face of the Canadian Opioid Crisis: The Silent Murderer
Last year, we lost yet another vibrant life to the ongoing opioid crisis – a beloved Toronto school teacher, Deidra Ann Smith. Through this source, we witness how the crisis has infiltrated the education system, proving that it spares no segment of society, whether it be the homeless, the working class or even those teaching our young generation. It again raises the cry for our civic and community leaders to form a united front and combat this crisis.
The Opioid Crisis: A Closer Look
The opioid crisis has been casting a long shadow over Canada for many years now. Opioids, a class of drugs that includes pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, have been causing a significant number of overdose deaths and, often, irreversible harm. This crisis has created a wave of devastation, rippling through families and communities across the nation, and raising issues around crime, health, and homelessness.
Dire Effects:
Crime and the Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis is not merely a health issue. It indirectly fuels crime as those battling addiction often find themselves resorting to illegal activities to fund their dependency. This exacerbates the strain on our justice system, stretching its limited resources thin.
Homelessness and the Opioid Crisis
According to various studies, there is a visible correlation between drug dependency and homelessness. The opioid-induced deterioration of physical and mental health often pushes individuals out of the workplace, leading them into a cycle of poverty and homelessness. Additionally, the homeless population is at a heightened risk of opioid abuse, resulting in a vicious cycle that continues to feed off itself.
The Impact on Mental Health
Opioid dependency can also lead to severe mental health issues. Over time, the repeated use of opioids alters the functioning of the brain, resulting in conditions like depression and anxiety. In many cases, these disorders remain even after the person stops taking the drug, highlighting the long-lasting impact on an individual’s mental health.
Combatting the Opioid Crisis: Existing and Potential Efforts
Several initiatives are in place to combat the opioid crisis, ranging from national awareness campaigns to policy changes favoring increased accessibility to addiction treatment services.
- Naloxone: Naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, has become a critical tool in fighting the crisis. Making Naloxone freely available and teaching people how to use it can save many lives.
- Opioid Class Action: In 2020, governments in Canada filed a C$67.5 billion class-action lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies over their role in marketing opioids. It demonstrated a strong commitment to holding those accountable who have contributed to this crisis.
- Treatment Services: Investing in opioid addiction treatment services, such as rehab facilities and counselling services, is crucial to helping those affected turn their lives around.
- Awareness Programmes: Continuous efforts need to be made to educate the public about the dangers of opioid misuse and overuse, through awareness programs in schools, workplaces and communities.
Closure
As we continue to grapple with the opioid crisis, it is clear that a multi-faceted approach is required, combining healthcare, education, policy, and societal support to make a tangible difference. We must learn from stories like Deidra Ann Smith’s, and use them as a cry for action, to pressure not just for change, but for a commitment to a future where the horrors of opioid abuse are a thing of the past. The need of the hour is united action, and time is of the essence.
