Drugs

I attended a lecture regarding Opioid Crisis: Understanding Community-Based Clinical Approach. Adler Faculty of Continuing Education will be providing a six day program regarding drugs, however, for my own requirements and private practice, I think what I attended is more than sufficient. As you know addiction was never one of my interests however this has had to change considering how often people suffer from addiction. This does not only affect themselves, but their spouses and children and entire families live with the addiction. As you also know I am opposed to the legalization of marijuana, though many are for it as was one or two of the speakers. One of the speakers feels all drugs should be legalized and there is talk about this according to him. However, I have concerns especially where the underdeveloped mind is concerned. The speaker who impressed me the most is Dr Samin Hasham, Pharm D. She indicated that 50% of accidental over doses are from opioids. Canada and the USA has the highest lead of all nations. One person dies every 13 hours from an overdose; 1 to 8 youths, 25 to 34 years of age from oxycontin and other opioids. Accidental overdoses are the 3rd leading cause of deaths. According to a Canadian study, prescriptions for high dose opioids are on the rise. There are more than 13 hospitalizations a day in Canada. Median age is 44 (of Opioid overdose). Cocaine is a comeback in Toronto. In Colorado (USA) heroine is cheap. 18 year olds are having health issues as a result, which will come here. The drugs come from the far East to Vancouver Island. Regarding prescription drugs physicians are now being monitored. Now if one person has a prescription and fills it there is a record and if the person goes to another pharmacy there is an alert. Eventually, everything will be fully automated. You will no longer get a prescription. You will go to the pharmacy and all medication required will be on the computer and then the physician in real time can see. What I thought was quite sad is that until 2017 there was no tracking of homeless people having overdoses. Wayne Skinner was another speaker who described Opioid as a pain reliever but also that it provides pleasure that one may want to be in. He indicated that people like to be high. He spoke about methadone treatment, evidence based in the USA, the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s stabilized lives and if more psycho social even a better outcome. Canada was opposed. “We subjected them to get off methadone in one year.” He indicated that the worse thing during the 80’s was HIV. He indicated needles should only be used once and not a lifetime. He indicated that our philosophy has changed. Today there is a strong focus for abstinence. There are waiting lists for rehab for 200 capacity. There was a lobby for more methadone treatment. Four of five overdoses deaths are men. He questions why abstinence is the only approach. He spoke of one clinic where patients are overdosing and the staff is suffering. He indicates that self care is very important for staff. Fentanyl is quick in and out (2 to 4 hours). It is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Street Fentanyl is 2mg, which is equal to just 2 grains of salt. Carfentanil is not meant for humans. In Toronto it has killed four people to date (lecture held 6 Jul 17). 20 micrograms (like a snowflake) can kill you. One million doses of Fentanyl will fit in a shoe box. One million of Carfentanil will fit in a golf ball. One to three hours after taking the drug, the heart stops, coma, death. If you are in Toronto and want to do something to help your addiction call 416-535-8501. This is an intake system (CAMH) A screener will respond. You may also call Connex Ontario. They have access to all addiction clinics in Ontario and there is a 24 hour service. CAMH assessment can refer to North Bay. Ontario Health Care. As I am completing my notes here, I remember one speaker talking about the requirement to need more of the drug which is problematic. One may stop for example if going into prison and come out and take the same dose as before he entered prison. He then may overdose and dies and this does happen. I hope this information helps you all. For those of you who work at borders be mindful that powerful mega doses can fit in such small places as mentioned above. If you are an addict be mindful of how easy it is to overdose. Is it time to go to re-hab? What do you think?