No More Oxy

OxyContin is being removed from pharmacy shelves across Canada. At first glance, this looks like a good plan because many people abuse the painkiller. Reading more into it, though, there will be a health crisis for people who use this drug.

When the drug is removed, users will have to resort to a different painkiller. Addicts will go into withdrawal, but there is no plan yet to assist these people. Residents in Northern Ontario will especially be affected because people in those remote communities have a higher rate of addiction.

The Nishawbe Aski Nation (NAN) represents 49 First Nation communities in the Northern Ontario region. More than half of the NAN people have OxyContin addictions, according to Grand Chief Stan Beardy.

I was in a Drug and Alcohol Counselling program last year where one class was fully dedicated to the addiction problems amongst Aboriginals. Because so many are addicted to this painkiller - and other drugs - the withdrawal symptoms will likely go unnoticed. Their health care system is not sufficient enough to handle what they will go through once the drugs are pulled. This can mean greater use of illegal drugs, aggression between frustrated residents experiencing withdrawal, and continued pain for those who actually use them as painkillers. Resorting to other drugs to relieve pain, especially heroin, can result in spreading diseases from using needles. The First Nations communities should be the first concern for the Ontario Ministry of Health.

For the rest of Canadians, we know our health care system will fill in the gap. OxyContin can be replaced with other strong painkillers, and withdrawal symptoms can be treated with a visit to a doctor. However, there is the possibility of illegal production and trafficking of the drug. Crime rates may increase because many people may not be able to get another type of painkiller. If someone is caught with OxyContin, will there be charges involved? And what will happen to all the OxyContin that has already been produced?

There need to be solutions for the health and crime problems that will most definitely arise once this drug is pulled.