Safer opioids actively being reviewed for epidemic: chief public health officer
OTTAWA — Public health officials across the country are seriously considering increasing the supply of safer opioids to quell a crisis that newly released data show helped claim more than 2,000 lives in the first half of the year.
Canada’s chief public health officer said Wednesday a toxic drug supply is a key part of Canada’s opioid epidemic.
Creating a safer opioid supply is “being actively reviewed and discussed” with provinces and territories, Dr. Theresa Tam said, and will require exploring what treatments people require.
Tam said clamping down on the market-driven supply of illicit drugs won’t be easy, adding she also hopes Canadians come to understand the seriousness of the problem.