Ontario's auditor general, Shelley Spence, criticized the province's outdated opioid strategy, emphasizing that its abstinence-based model does not meet current needs. With over 2,600 overdose deaths last year, there is an urgent need for a revised, comprehensive approach to tackle the opioid crisis. The last update to the strategy was in 2016, and Spence advocates for a new framework to address these pressing issues more effectively.
The Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, has implemented strict regulations against drug-consumption sites, banning any within 200 metres of schools or daycares. This legislative move raises concerns about the accessibility of harm-reduction services amid rising opioid-related deaths. While the province claims to focus on alternative solutions, such as the introduction of 19 new addiction treatment hubs and supportive housing units, the effectiveness of these measures in curbing the crisis remains to be seen.
#opioid-crisis #healthcare-policy #addiction-treatment #government-regulations #ontario-auditor-general
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