A new study revealing a major increase in deaths caused by the abuse of opioids and prescription narcotics, has been published in the Addiction journal and is also available online through the ICES Website.
The researchers reviewed 5935 opioid-related deaths in Ontario between 1991 and 2010. The overall rate of opioid-related mortality increased by 242% between 1991 (12.2 per 1,000,000 Ontarians) and 2010 (41.6 per 1,000,000 Ontarians; P < 0.0001). By 2010, nearly one of every eight deaths (12.1%) among individuals aged 25–34 years was opioid-related. Tara Gomes, scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital, the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and author of the study, states the findings can likely be attributed proportionately to the rest of Canada.
The demographics examined are not those typically treated for chronic pain. As such, it appears the problem remains with accessibility to the drug and its abuse by youths, not with the drug itself when used for short term, post-operative pain for example.
Health Minister Rona Ambrose, along with Health Canada is planning to curb abuse of narcotics by insisting drug companies make all opioids tamper-proof so addicts cannot easily crush the drugs for snorting or injecting.
Gomes notes opioids can be effective when used appropriately. The study highlights the importance of consultation with a doctor when using narcotics for any reason.