Canada's fight against drugs

Currently, Canada is confronted by a national opioid crisis. Drugs which are generally utilized during clinical procedures such as anesthesia are being used illicitly (Ottawa Public Health, 2018). Death and overdoses associated to opioids and other illicit drugs are cultivating. The Canadian Government struggles to uncover appropriate ways to treat this issue. Substance abuse contains a stigma and continues to be frowned upon. Thus, making it to be a difficult subject to converse about. I believe that the more accepting we become of this issue, we will find a way a solution and combat the war against drug use; Health Canada’s action plans to improve the overall health of Canadians is occurring by the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, distribution of Naloxone kits and safe consumption zones

As of May 4th, 2017, the Canadian Government had decided upon the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act becoming a law. This law is to encourage the witness of an overdoes to contact law by providing a support system by defending the witness of prosecution of a crime related to possession of a controlled substance (Canada, H, 2018). Thus, resulting in a decline of fear for the witness to contact authorities in an occurrence of a drug related overdose. Furthermore, abolishing the stigma around drug use. The unanimous correspondence from the public and government is that saving a life is at more significance than indicting a witness, a witness that could have shown the difference between life and death. Perhaps this could lead to a discovery phase for the police, shining the light to the inside of this crisis. This will allow officials to gather any additional information about the situation at hand, furthermore, how they can prepare for future situations. Feasibly providing aid which will point users to the direction to turn their life around.

Health Canada is operating with pharmaceutical companies to outline and provide supplementary accessibility to naloxone treatment to rural locations in hopes to reach the first nations and Inuit people of Canada. With the evident and ongoing division between the aboriginal people and the Canadian government, addiction could be a difficult topic to speak about, hence receiving help is at further reach. With the ongoing battle and division between these parties, disapproval of help from the other party is evident, in consequence causing a foster resistance against the problem. The government of Canada cannot solve the answer to a problem that is unspoken about. The issue needs to be addressed as a public health problem on both ends and not an individual one. Perhaps this outreach could provide harmony between these post-colonial era parties.

Certain provincial government bodies take the leap set up supervised consumption sites. Research denotes that safe injection sites does not escalate the probability of drug use yet shrinks crime in the proximate radius (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse , 2005). There are many reasons why a supervised consumption site may be utilized. Supervised consumption sites offer a vast number of amenities suchlike assessment for diseases/infections, drug inspection for cross-contamination with fentanyl, medical services, sterile needles and drug and safety education. Safe consumption sites allow officials to make contact with users, allowing for referrals and information regarding well-being and social assistance. Out-reach programs embraces drug therapy, social welfare, shelter, needle exchange programs and mental health treatment (Canada, H, 2018).

Providing a support system to users might be the key and the government of Canada is providing that key with the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, distribution of Naloxone kits and safe consumption zones. Often users feel alone, struggling with an internal battle no one can see. Portugal struggled with its own opioid crisis. In 2001, Portuguese legislation decided to decriminalize all drugs. Possession of any drug will result in a deferral fee, with possibly attendance to a treatment facility (EMCDDA, 2011). Attendance to a facility is publicly funded. Creating sculptures and painting are a couple activities provided within a facility. Fernando Rias, a member of the program said” Criminal people are not accepted in society. Here, we are accepted” (CBC News. n. d.). Now that Portugal has considered the crisis a public health issue, they can address the underlying problem. Stigma can prevent a person from getting help (Canada, 2016) This will only happen when the topic is better understood. Further shame will not bring a user to recovery. With drug use and a decline in disease control, perhaps Canada should take note.

What is it you need when you’re having a rough day? Having a support system to fall back could be the more essential needs for a rough day. Many users are shut out from being accepted in society. More data needs to be gathered about this current topic and an appropriate action plan needs to be generated.