Opioid resources

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction (CCSA) has compiled this extensive resource covering topics such as prevention, treatment, harm reduction, enforcement, evidence base and public health response. www.ccsa.ca/opioid-resources

Infoway, along with CCSA and other organizations across Canada, is an Opioid Response Partner assisting Health Canada to address issues related to opioid use and addiction that affect the health and safety of Canadians. Many of the resources have been provided by partner organizations.

Kind Regards,
Seema

Hello all,

Health Canada has launched a public consultation on potential next steps in the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS).

The purpose of this consultation is to engage Canadians on new and innovative ideas on how to further strengthen the federal government’s approach to substance use issues through the CDSS. The consultation will last for 90 days, closing on December 4, 2018.

This survey is based on key themes, including:
• Taking action on the root causes and risk factors of problematic substance use
• Reducing stigma towards people who use drugs
• Improving access to comprehensive, evidence-based treatment services
• Applying a public health lens to regulation and enforcement activities

You can access the survey here .

Kind regards,
Seema

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions (CCSA) announced the release of a report Best Practices across the Continuum of Care for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder . This report officially launched at the Opioid Symposium in Toronto (Sept. 5-6, 2018).

Developed to inform Health Canada’s Federal, Provincial and Territorial Treatment Task Group, the report outlines the services that should be available to individuals seeking help for opioid use disorder, as well as considerations for how to deliver these services in a person-centred manner. The report includes a summary of some of the actions taking place in Canada at multiple levels of government to respond to the opioid crisis and to stop deaths due to overdose. This report provides a benchmark to ensure that services across Canada meet the needs of people living with an opioid use disorder.

Kind regards,
Seema

On September 5 and 6, Minister Petitpas Taylor will host an Opioid Symposium in Toronto. The Symposium will bring together more than 200 participants—including representatives from government and law enforcement, Canadians with lived and living experience, health experts, medical practitioners, Indigenous groups and researchers—to share experiences and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

During this Symposium, participants will discuss topics such as stigma, treatment, harm reduction, compliance and enforcement and how the crisis impacts different communities, particularly Indigenous communities.

There will be a live webcast of the Symposium. You can also tune in to portions of the meeting via Periscope and join the discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #OpioidSymposium2018. For more information, check out the Symposium’s agenda . Please share this link with interested colleagues.

Kind regards,
Seema

New opioid guidelines were released March 5, 2018 that may help more patients receive treatment.

The new guidelines are intended for family doctors and nurse practitioners, where previous guidelines were written for experts in addiction (patients often would have limited access to these specialists).

The new Canadian guidelines are also a great resource for anyone working in this space as there are new recommendations for initial treatment based on medication safety.

Kind regards,
Seema

If you missed the webinar launch of Opioid Wisely from Choosing Wisely Canada today - no worries.

The webinar has already been posted at choosingwiselycanada.org/event/2018marchtalk/
Dr. Juurlink delivered a fantastic presentation about the history and multiple drivers that have lead us to the current opioid crisis.

It is worth a listen.

P.S. - the first 5 minutes has poor sound quality, but it improves after that.

Lisa
ISMP Canada