Opioids In Canada Essay

Over the course of Canada’s history, the country has suffered through many issues, from the hunger and strife of the Great Depression to concerns of opioid drugs looming over today’s society. In North America, opioid drug use is on the rise. To put this into perspective, it is known that Canadians are the second largest consumers of prescription opioids, second only to the United States of America, which is currently stricken with an overdose epidemic (International Overdose Awareness Day). In fact, the amount of illicit drug overdoses in Canada rose 31% from 2014 to 2015, with 480 overdoses in 2015 compared to 366 in 2014 (BC Coroners Service). As the usage of opioids increases, so do the amount of deaths related to opioids. Opioids are drugs, used as medication, to relieve pain, when administered properly. However, these drugs are extremely addictive when abused, often causing fatality due to overdose. While doctors may prescribe many different opioids as anesthesia and treatment for pain in cancer patients, there are many that still

While this works in controlled situations, many opioids found on the street are extremely powerful and cause immediate overdose. One of the most recent and deadly opioids found circulating the streets is fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent and toxic than morphine and cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, making it one of the most dangerous drugs. Due to these properties, fentanyl is not typically sold on its own, it is usually used to cut other drugs, most commonly heroin, cocaine and oxycodone (Drugabuse.gov). Fentanyl can be processed into many different forms, including pills, liquids, powders and even blotting papers, making it extremely easy for the producers of these street drugs to combine them with many others. This also means that fentanyl can be injected, snorted, swallowed and even worn as a