Tyndall, Mark (2020) A safer drug supply: a pragmatic and ethical response to the overdose crisis. CMAJ, 192, (34), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.201618.
External website: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/34/E986
Commentary. Key points:
• Overdose deaths in British Columbia are largely due to potent synthetic opioids.
• A “prohibition” approach that focuses on reducing access to pharmaceutical products directly contributes to exposure to higher risk illicit substances, which has put many people at risk of overdose.
• The public health response to a poisoning epidemic must be to provide a safer alternative, which must include providing a safe supply of pharmaceutical drugs, as well as decriminalization of drug use and a redeployment of resources from enforcement to social and health services.
G Health and disease > Substance use disorder (addiction) > Drug use disorder > Drug intoxication > Poisoning (overdose)
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Policy > Policy on substance use > Harm reduction policy
P Demography, epidemiology, and history > Population dynamics > Substance related mortality / death
VA Geographic area > Canada
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