By Jenna Finley, Biology and Life Sciences editor Editor’s note: this post is the second in a two-part series by Jenna Finley on Canada’s opioid crisis. Check out Part 1 here. The characteristics of the opioid epidemic have evolved over time. The people who take these drugs, the sources of the drugs, and even their […]
opioid crisis
When the opioid epidemic met the coronavirus pandemic
Sonja Soo, Communications, Education & Outreach editor The opioid crisis in Canada has been a public emergency since 2016. According to the Government of Canada, there have been more than 22,000 opioid toxicity deaths in the last five years. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened opioid-related deaths in Canada – in the months that followed the […]
Drug treatment and policy: Lessons from abroad
Braydon Black, Science and Society co-editor The opioid crisis is having a devastating impact on individuals and communities across North America. The problem can be traced back to the late 1990s, when pharmaceutical companies began to market the drugs as a non-addictive treatment for chronic pain. Opioids became over-prescribed, leading to widespread use and overuse. […]