Canada’s Drug Toxicity Crisis – together we can save lives

August 26, 2024 – Defence Stories

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day. Sadly, like many countries around the world, Canada is experiencing an opioid toxicity crisis which affects people from all walks of life.

The overdose crisis continues to claim the lives of more than 20 Canadians every single day, with unregulated drug toxicity deaths accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural disease combined. Between January 2016 and September 2023, there were more than 42,000 opioid toxicity deaths in Canada.

“Together we can” is the theme for International Overdose Awareness Day 2024, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdoses, reduce stigma, remember those who have died and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind.

Overdose – signs and symptoms, what to do

Know the signs and symptoms, call 9-1-1 for help and administer Naloxone.
Seek help and intervene if you see some signs such as:

• drowsiness
• confusion, dizziness
• cannot be woken up
• blue lips or nails
• cold and damp skin
• choking, gurgling or snoring sounds

Naloxone kits have successfully reversed thousands of overdoses. Naloxone is used by CAF first responders, including paramedics and firefighters. Naloxone kits are available at CAF pharmacies and covered under Canadian Armed Forces Medical Benefits. The kits are also available at many civilian pharmacies, health authorities, and community organizations across Canada.

Substance Use & Addiction – Stigma, Treatment and Resources

Stigma is one of the biggest barriers for people seeking and receiving help when it comes to substance use.

• By putting aside our biases, fears and personal opinions and replacing these with compassion and dignity for all, we can save lives. This can be as simple as improving the language we use when describing a person struggling with substance use issues.
• Read Stigma: Why Words Matter and Combatting the stigmatization of medical conditions.
• For Health professionals – Reducing substance use stigma in the Canadian health system (infographic).

Improve health and reduce the risk for yourself or those around you whether you use substances or not by consulting the Substance Use Spectrum. Like physical and mental health, we all have substance use health (PDF, 160 KB).

Help for those struggling with substance use

If you are struggling with substance use, gambling, gaming or any addictions, there is help available: the Canadian Armed Forces Addictions Treatment Program provides assessment and treatment to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members. At CAF Clinics, both Primary Care Services and Mental Health Services provide care for substance use and addiction-related issues. 

If you need help related to substance use or any addiction issue: Please speak to your primary care physician or seek help through the Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP), 1-800-268-7708.

Defence Team members and leaders of all ranks, remember: there is always information, resources and support available from the Strengthening the Forces (STF) health promotion program deliver through local health promotion offices: Health Promotion Program.

Strengthening the Forces is the CAF’s health promotion program. STF provides expert guidance, courses, briefing and leadership support to reduce harms related to substance use, gambling and gaming and to promote substance use health: Addiction awareness and prevention.