As Canadians remain the second-highest per capita users of opioids in the world, an in-depth and informed national conversation needs to be undertaken into how this was allowed to intensify throughout the country over the past several years.



Further, there has been a rapid increase in the overdoses and deaths caused by opioids, especially from highly concentrated forms such as fentanyl. The rate of hospitalization has increased by 27% over the past five years with an average of 11 deaths per day in 2007.

​

Research suggests that the use and misuse of opioids is a complex health and social issue that requires further investigation.

​

In light of this crisis, we ask experts: What factors are contributing to the use, misuse, dependence and/or addictions caused by opioids? What measures can be taken to mitigate the risk of harm caused by opioids?