the spread of counterfeit opiates such as fentanyl, a lethal narcotic. In British Columbia alone, authorities discovered 332 fentanyl overdoses during the first half of 2016. The province has seen a 196% increase in fentanyl-related fatalities and a record 622 overdose deaths from January to October 2016.
In order to curb the growing incidence of opioid abuse, Canadian medical experts have recommendations:
- Doctors must prescribe opioids only in extreme cases of pain.
- When prescribed, only administer fast-acting painkillers.
- Examine the patient’s charts before burdening with more medications.
- Put into effect a national surveillance system for painkiller harm indicators, such as emergency department visits and overdose deaths.
- Make the availability of naloxone widespread to the public and law enforcement.
Along with the recommendations, education must play a big part in Canada’s anti-opioid plan. Today’s patients must know that if they take drugs such as oxycodone longer than three months they will likely become addicted.
If the opioid epidemic is to end, physicians must prescribe responsibly, Dr. Kolodny said. They cannot offer high dosages and must make their patients aware of all possible side effects.
“These medications are for easing suffering at the end of life where you don’t have to worry about addiction,” Dr. Kolodny said. “They are also good medicines to use [for] a couple of days, for example after major surgery. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the prescribing in Canada is not for end-of-life care or a couple of days after surgery.”
