Police in London, Ont., say roughly half of the drugs they seized last year were prescribed opioids, indicating they’re being diverted onto city streets.
"We recognize the value that safe supply plays as part of that harm reduction piece, but diversion is an important issue that is affecting community safety.
“Criminal groups are fairly adept at exploiting policy changes that are well intended, but unforeseen consequences sometimes arise and this appears to be, at least in part, one of them,” added Bastien.
It’s run by the London InterCommunity Health Centre, where doctors prescribe controlled and tested opioids to patients with the intention of preventing them from resorting to toxic street drugs.
They include weekly client check-ins, toxicology tests at every appointment, and removal from the program if diversion is proved, said Greg Nash, its director of complex urban health.
“It’s estimated that safe supply prescribing practices across the country make up less than a single-digit percentage of the total prescription of hydromorphone, so that includes pain management, cancer care and addictions treatment,” said Nash.
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Police in London, Ont., say roughly half of the drugs they seized last year were prescribed opioids, indicating they’re being diverted onto city streets.
"We recognize the value that safe supply plays as part of that harm reduction piece, but diversion is an important issue that is affecting community safety.
“Criminal groups are fairly adept at exploiting policy changes that are well intended, but unforeseen consequences sometimes arise and this appears to be, at least in part, one of them,” added Bastien.
It’s run by the London InterCommunity Health Centre, where doctors prescribe controlled and tested opioids to patients with the intention of preventing them from resorting to toxic street drugs.
They include weekly client check-ins, toxicology tests at every appointment, and removal from the program if diversion is proved, said Greg Nash, its director of complex urban health.
“It’s estimated that safe supply prescribing practices across the country make up less than a single-digit percentage of the total prescription of hydromorphone, so that includes pain management, cancer care and addictions treatment,” said Nash.
The original article contains 688 words, the summary contains 167 words. Saved 76%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!