Mental Health Monday: Addiction

While many of our brothers and sisters are affected in our industry , this crisis impacts Canadians as a whole, no province has been left unmarked by this. In order to make a difference, Canadians must understand that “substance use disorder is not a choice, but a treatable medical condition,” with “underlying drivers” such as mental illness, socioeconomic factors like housing and employment, and access to health services.

The following is a statement from Camille Quenneville, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, in reaction to the latest report on the opioid crisis in Ontario. 

“The latest statistics are frightening across the board, but perhaps none is more stark than the 79 per cent increase in monthly opioid-related deaths in Ontario since the provincial state of emergency declaration in March 2020. In other words, a deadly addictions crisis the likes of which we’ve never seen has nearly doubled in severity over the past year, and there are no signs of it slowing down.

“Further, last year was the most tragic year on record for opioid-related deaths. There were 2,426 opioid-related deaths reported in 2020, up from 1,516 deaths in 2019, which is a 60 per cent increase.

“Fentanyl continues to drive these increases, with this drug reported to be accountable for 87 per cent of deaths. People who use unregulated street drugs may not realize they are consuming fentanyl.

“Harm reduction is an evidence-based, client-centred approach that seeks to reduce the health and social harms associated with substance use. Harm reduction interventions include low-barrier access to naloxone, managed alcohol programs, safe consumption sites and outpatient substance-use counselling and supports.

“Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Many Ontario pharmacies offer free injectable and nasal spray naloxone kits without a prescription. CMHA Ontario has developed an opioid overdose toolkit to provide more information about opioids and naloxone access in Ontario.

To learn more, visit: https://local1946.ca/

#opioidcrisis #letstalk

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This post was written by Blackburn Media