This article was written by Sorcha DeHeer The increasing availability of deadlier, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and fentanyl analogues in Canada has created a complex national health crisis. Current preventative measures and treatment options are no longer sufficient tools to combat the crisis. In order to prevent a further crisis, it is necessary to shift away from the “war on drugs” method to a “social determinants of health” model. The federal government of Canada has labelled the opioid crisis a national health emergency. Between 2016 and 2019, 12,800 deaths resulted from apparent opioid use. While Canada has experienced drug epidemics before, the introduction of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues has…
This article was written by Sorcha DeHeer Last month the United Conservative Party released a $2 million audit of Alberta Health Services done by Ernst and Young. The audit claims that there is up to $1.9 billion in “savings” to be found in the organization. In order to do this, AHS would be required to cut public funding for surgeries of “limited clinical value.” The so-called “unnecessary” procedures include tubal ligation (female sterilization) and breast reduction surgery. Instead of surgery, the audit recommends “alternative therapeutic approaches.” Interestingly, the report still deemed male sterilization medically necessary. Other recommendations include changes to work rules and pay for doctors and nurses, expanded use…
