Changes

Many people have died from [[ opioid]] overdoses in recent years: “In the United States nearly 50,000” in 2019 and in 2020 91,799.<ref>[https://nida.nih.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis National Institute on Drug Abuse]</ref> In Canada there were “24,626 apparent opioid toxicity deaths between January 2016 and June 2021”.<ref>[https://health-infobase.canada.ca/substance-related-harms/opioids-stimulants/  “Opioid and Stimulant related Harms in Canada”. Government of Canada, December 2021]</ref> A number of these deaths were caused by drug-dealers selling drugs laced with [[fentanyl]].<ref>“Opioid and Stimulant related Harms in Canada”. Government of Canada, December 2021.</ref>

Many people have died from [[ opioid]] overdoses in recent years: “In the United States nearly 50,000” in 2019 and in 2020 91,799.<ref>[https://nida.nih.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis National Institute on Drug Abuse]</ref> In Canada there were “24,626 apparent opioid toxicity deaths between January 2016 and June 2021”.<ref>[https://health-infobase.canada.ca/substance-related-harms/opioids-stimulants/  “Opioid and Stimulant related Harms in Canada”. Government of Canada, December 2021]</ref> A number of these deaths were caused by drug-dealers selling [[drugs]] laced with [[fentanyl]].<ref>“Opioid and Stimulant related Harms in Canada”. Government of Canada, December 2021.</ref>

The emphasis on the use of [[opioid]]s for "pain management" contributed to this crisis.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-dea-big-pharma-and-the-opioid-crisis/2019/07/21/e9c3e9b4-aa4b-11e9-8733-48c87235f396_story.html Letters to the Editor :Opinion – "The DEA, Big Pharma and the opioid crisis', ''The Washington Post'', July 21, 2019]</ref> Another factor has been the increased anxiety created by the Covid 19 pandemic.<ref>“Opioid and Stimulant related Harms in Canada”. Government of Canada, December 2021</ref>

The emphasis on the use of [[opioid]]s for "pain management" contributed to this crisis.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-dea-big-pharma-and-the-opioid-crisis/2019/07/21/e9c3e9b4-aa4b-11e9-8733-48c87235f396_story.html Letters to the Editor :Opinion – "The DEA, Big Pharma and the opioid crisis', ''The Washington Post'', July 21, 2019]</ref> Another factor has been the increased anxiety created by the Covid 19 pandemic.<ref>“Opioid and Stimulant related Harms in Canada”. Government of Canada, December 2021</ref>