‘Man, I’ve seen a lot of people die’: Canada’s other health crisis

Link: https://www.ctvnews.ca/w5/man-i-ve-seen-a-lot-of-people-die-canada-s-other-health-crisis-1.5286552

Excerpt:

The infectious diseases doctor, with a background in public health, is on the front line of a Canadian health crisis.

It’s not COVID-19.

It’s the toxic drug supply; an epidemic within the pandemic. Never before in the history of this country have more people died from drug overdoses. It’s a health emergency that is being fuelled by the pandemic.

The very measures that are meant to keep us safe from the virus are having unintended consequences on those struggling with addiction and mental illness. Lockdowns mean isolation, lost jobs, and difficulty accessing services. The shutdown of the Canada-U.S. border has disrupted the illegal drug supply, so what is on the street is more contaminated than ever, as dealers mix in other ingredients to stretch their supply.

Author: Avery Haines

Publication Date: 30 January 2021

Publication Site: CTV News