Pubdate: Wed, 22 Mar 2017
Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS)
Copyright: 2017 Cape Breton Post
Contact:  http://www.capebretonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777
Author: Barry McNeil
Page: C5

OPIOID ADDICTS NEED MORE HELP

This letter concerns Addiction Services' and the Nova Scotia Health
Authority's new approach towards the treatment of opioid addicts in
this province.

According to a CBC News report (Dec 8, 2016), this new strategy
involves a move to "eliminate hospital-based Detox for opioid addicts."

Essentially, the Nova Scotia Health Authority intends to withhold
inpatient treatment to opioid addicts at their eight Detox Units
across the province saying that (for opioid addicts) "detox alone is
not working."

The preferred approach now is to kick the problem out to family
physicians who may or may not have methadone licenses or to other
community programs and services already overwhelmed by the problem.

In light of the national crisis of opioid addiction sweeping across
this country, the Nova Scotia Health Authority's odd strategy comes at
a very unfortunate time - a puzzling response to a national public
health crisis. If things go as predicted with the fentanyl crisis,
this decision could yield deadly consequences.

Detox Units traditionally have provided open doors, safe places and
opportunities for health professionals to react immediately to the
needs of the individuals requiring care. Places where addiction
professionals can complete assessments on those addicted, manage their
withdrawal and try to facilitate their transition to other programs.

The new strategy of the Nova Scotia Health Authority and Addiction
Services cuts off access for opioid addicts to these treatment
professionals and blocks their access to publically funded potentially
lifesaving services.

This is not very good news for the thousands of individuals and
families in Nova Scotia affected personally by opioid addiction. Nor
is it good news for workers in the community programs and services
that must now fill the void left by the Nova Scotia Health Authority's
decision. The heavy lifting in the struggle against opioid addiction
must now fall to others.

Pressure to address the crisis will now fall to groups like police
officers, emergency room nurses, first responders, jail employees and
others who deal with the issue of drug addiction daily. These groups
are left to deal with overdoses, family violence or crime committed by
individuals trying to feed their disease.

These workers always had the option of referring high-risk individuals
to a Detox Unit for treatment. What options do they have now? People
should understand that once these Detox Units are gone, they're gone
forever.

How disheartening must this strategy be for the thousands of Nova
Scotians who either suffer from or who are directly affected by opioid
addiction. They're now left wondering where to get treatment and
feeling abandoned. What other publically funded health-care treatment
service gets to pick and choose which components of a disease they
will treat?

Addiction Services is saying that they will continue to admit people
addicted to alcohol or other drugs. They're just not going to admit
individuals addicted to opioid medication. That's a lot like the
cancer treatment center saying that we'll treat people with cancer,
just not lung cancer.

The province should tell the people what their strategy is for
addressing the opioid crisis and create a clear path for individuals,
families and community groups looking for direction.

Barry McNeil

Sydney
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MAP posted-by: Matt