By Julia Smith, General Member
On October 17, 2018, the Federal Government legalized recreational cannabis.
Ontario's Government put rules in place to keep cannabis out of reach of children and youth. One must be 19 and older to buy, use, possess and grow recreational cannabis. This is the same as the minimum age for selling tobacco and alcohol in Ontario. Yet, cannabis is by far the only drug that is readily used in Canada; the use of drugs, in particular, opioids, is becoming an epidemic.
Opioids are a family of drugs that have a morphine-like effect; they can cause a slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness, and feeling like you might pass out. Some opioids are prescription, while others are street opioid drugs that can include drugs like heroin, morphine, Fentanyl, methadone and codeine. It is essential to know that All opioids, prescription and non-prescription, can cause overdoses. If you are prescribed over-the-counter opioids, you must lock them up in your house.
Many people, including teens and parents alike, often think that prescription drugs are less harmful than street drugs as they are prescribed, but this is not the case. They can be just as potent and deadly if misused; dealers of street drugs are becoming increasingly sneaky at making their drugs look like prescription medications such as Percocet or Oxycodone. You must never take prescription drugs not provided by a physician or pharmacist.
Fentanyl is a very popular opioid; it is dangerous, potent and illegal, yet despite this, many people are overdosing on this drug. Fentanyl is generally prescribed as a patch as a painkiller and is around 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphine. Because of this, the risk of overdose, even accidental overdose, is much higher. Illegal Fentanyl is turning up in many different drugs on the street, and It can be found in different party drugs like cocaine and ecstasy; these drugs are often synthetically produced and cut with unsafe materials, so there is no way to know what is in them.
What to do if you or a friend have overdosed?
Naloxone:
Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. You can get a take-home naloxone kit at no cost from pharmacies and other agencies in Ottawa and in most provinces. If you are a parent or a friend of someone who uses or if you use, get a naloxone kit. Keep it ready in case of an overdose. Friends or family of teens in Ontario who are worried. It is essential to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of an overdose quickly. Having a naloxone kit available can save a life while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
In the event of an Overdose:
It is essential to know that an overdose is considered a medical emergency. If you witness or suspect an overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately, even if naloxone has been administered. An overdose of opioids, such as Fentanyl, will have at least one or more of the following signs or symptoms:
The Person will be unresponsive. The Body is limp
The Person’s Breathing is prolonged
Their Lips and nails might appear blue
Their Skin can be cold and feel clammy
The Person might be choking and throwing up
The Person is making gurgling noises
Small pupils
Excess perspiration
Worrying facts:
Canada has the second-highest level of prescription opioid use globally.
Opioids were responsible for 45% of drug overdose deaths between 2009 and 2011
13% of Ottawa high school students used prescription drugs, and two-thirds of students got the drug from a parent, sibling or someone else they live with.
For more information, click on the links below:
https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/epidemic.html - Understanding the Opioid Epidemic
https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2021-06/CCSA-Canada-Opioid-Crisis-What-You-Should-Know-Poster-2021-en.pdf - Candas Opioid Crisis Info Graphic
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/get-help-with-substance-use.html - Canadian Government get Help with Substance Abuse