A decade of extreme oscillations in opioid control and availability: implications for public health in a Canadian setting

AbstractWe comment on developments in and impacts of medical opioid control and availability in the province of British Columbia (Canada). Population-level dispensing of (strong) prescription opioids doubled in 2005 –2011, yet subsequently declined by half 2011–2018 following implementation of various opioid control measures. Notwithstanding this inversion, BC has featured the highest population rates of opioid-related mortality and morbidity in Canada. The erratic opioid availability patterns presumably fa cilitated major increases in opioid misuse, morbidity, and mortality. Tangible benefits for pain care from increased medical opioid availability remain un-evidenced. Rather, recent decreases in medical opioid dispensing have not been matched by equivalent reductions in demand for (non-)medical use y et have coincided with widespread proliferation of toxic, illicit opioid supply and related major increases in opioid-related mortality. These developments appear to have undermined rather than benefitted public health and offer a poignant case study in ineffective psychotropic drug control and publ ic health policy towards preventing similar experiences elsewhere.
Source: Journal of Public Health Policy - Category: Health Management Source Type: research