The Opioid Crisis in Canada

There is an expanding opioid crisis in Canada that is resulting in epidemic-like numbers of overdose deaths. These deaths are the result of an interaction between prescribed, diverted and illegal opioids (such as fentanyl) and the recent entry into the illegal drug market of newer, more powerful synthetic opioids. The current approaches to managing this situation – focused on changing prescribing practices and interrupting the flow of drugs – have failed to reduce the death toll and should be supplemented with an enhanced and comprehensive public health approach. Such an approach would include the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience.