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While most Canadians have some level of awareness of the opioid crisis, only 7% would know how to obtain and administer the life-saving drug naloxone, according to survey results released today by Statistics Canada.
The data was collected through a survey on opioid awareness conducted in November and December 2017 to provide a better understanding of Canadians’ knowledge of the opioid crisis and their "willingness to act," says Statistics Canada.
Illicit drug overdoses claimed the lives of more than 1,200 British Columbians in 2017, and the study found that the highest level of awareness on the issue was here in B.C.
The Statistics Canada survey indicated that 77% of Canadians reported being either “very” or “somewhat” aware of the opioid crisis, while 28% of Canadians would know the signs of an overdose.
While most Canadians would call 911 if they suspected an overdose, the data from Statistics Canada indicates few know how to administer naloxone, which can reverse the deadly effects of an overdose from drugs such as heroin, methadone, fentanyl and morphine.
The provincial government launched the take-home naloxone program in 2012 and most recently made naloxone kits available at community pharmacies around the province. According to the B.C. government, take-home naloxone kits have been used to reverse more than 11,000 overdoses.
Statistics Canada indicated that a significant number (71%) of Canadians reported being very aware that drugs obtained illegally could potentially contain fentanyl, the deadly opioid that is responsible for the vast majority of overdose deaths.
Awareness of this risk was also highest in British Columbia, where the largest number of drug-related deaths associated with illegal fentanyl have been recorded. As of the end of September, fentanyl had been detected in 83% of overdose deaths in B.C.
Opioids are pain-relief medications that can be obtained both legally and illegally, and problematic use can cause dependence, StatsCan indicated in survey results.
More than a quarter (29%) of Canadians reported using some form of opioid in the past five years, and 12% of Canadians indicated they would share their opioids to help a family member or friend relieve pain.
Close to eight in 10 Canadians reported knowing that problematic use of opioids could cause an overdose and potentially death, while survey results also reflected the growing stigma around opioid use for pain. Survey results showed that 14% of those using opioids with a prescription said they would not want their family and friends to know.