A safer drug supply: a pragmatic and ethical response to the overdose crisis

Commentary
by
Tyndall, Mark

Release Date

2020

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

No

Objective

We are now in the midst of what can only be described as a mass poisoning epidemic. As for any poisoning event, the response should be to provide an alternative to the poison

Findings/Key points

Commentary by Mark Tyndall where he argues that safe supply and decriminlization are key to adress the actual overdose crisis. More specifically, he points to the fact the illicit drug market is contaminated and is even more since B.C doctors began deprescribing opioids in order to adress the crisis.He states that this approach is counter-intuitive since it makes diverted prescribed opioid less available and thus making the illicit market more dangerous. The author then goes to offer actions such as hydromorphone pills distribution and injectable iOAT program.

Keywords

Overdose
Policy/Regulatory
Hesitancy of prescribers
Safer supply
Decriminalization/legalization
Advocacy
Illegal drugs
Injecting drugs