Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis is a huge issue, and something we hear a lot about in the news. In Waterloo Region there have been 617 overdose related calls in 2019 alone. Opioid addiction also does not just affect the homeless or those on the streets. These are some of the questions that we get asked about the opioid crisis which you might be interested in which can explain opioids and their effect. At the end of our post today we have also provided some helpful background information about opioids and the difference between addiction and dependence.
Opioids help a lot of people manage their long term and short term pain. Taking them away, or stopping the prescriptions would leave many people with untreated pain. Another unintended consequence of restricting prescriptions could push people who are already dependent to find alternate sources on the street which could cause more harm. (Drug companies in the past had promoted the idea that opioids being used for pain weren’t addictive, and that some were less addictive than others. We now know that this is wrong which is why prescriptions for opioids are starting to decrease).
Fifty youth who were using injection opioids (ex. injecting heroin) were asked about how their habit started and 86% had started with a prescription opioid from family, friends or a personal prescription. Although this is the case, the number of people who will start using injection opioids after a prescription medication is still low.
Contact us at the pharmacy if you are looking for a free naloxone kit, or free sharps container for used needles, or if you have other questions we didn’t answer here.
If you are battling addiction and are looking for support you can get in touch with:
The House of Friendship 1-844-437-3247
Rapid Access Addiction Clinics 1-844-722-2977
Connex Ontario 1-866-531-2600
References:
Lankenau SE, Teti M, Silva K, Jackson Bloom J, Harocopos A, Treese M. Initiation into prescription opioid misuse amongst young injection drug users. Int J Drug Policy. 2012;23(1):37-44.