Canadians are divided over treatment of drug addiction, says in-house research by the Department of Health. A report summarizing new public opinion surveys was completed weeks before cabinet announced it was lifting a 1911 criminal ban on opioids and cocaine in British Columbia..“Reducing stigma associated with opioid use disorder should help broaden public support for devoting more resources to the issue and aid in removing barriers to treatment,” said the report Follow-Up Survey And Qualitative Research On Opioid Awareness, Knowledge And Behaviour For Public Education. “On the surface most of the public accepts there is an opioid crisis, that anyone can fall victim to opioid use disorder, and agree those who do are probably stigmatized.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, researchers estimated 24% of Canadians were “unsympathetic” to drug addicts, another 25% held very sympathetic views and “half of Canadians, 51%, fall somewhere in between, holding conflicting or nuanced views.” Canadians most unsympathetic to drug addicts were typically men over age 35. Those most sympathetic were typically women over 55..Findings were based on ten focus groups and online questionnaires with 2,827 people nationwide. The health department paid Earnscliffe Strategy Group $189,163 for the research..Follow-Up Survey said 79% of respondents agreed with the statement, “People who have an opioid use disorder deserve the help they need.” However 25% agreed, “A lack of self-control is usually what causes a dependence upon or an addition to opioids.” And 31% agreed, “I don’t have much sympathy for people who misuse opioids.”.The newly-released report is dated February 11. Cabinet on May 31 said it would grant B.C. an exemption under the Controlled Drugs And Substances Act to decriminalize possession of up to 2.5 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine, opioids or ecstasy..The waiver takes effect January 31, 2023 on a three-year trial basis. “This is not legalization,” Mental Health Minister Dr. Carolyn Bennett earlier told reporters. “We have not taken this decision lightly.”.The health department research did not ask Canadians if they supported decriminalizing narcotics. However researchers cautioned a large number of Canadians appeared wary of treating drug addiction purely as a medical issue. “Evidence demonstrates stigmatizing views about opioid use disorder continue to be held by a significant portion of the population,” said the report..“Stigma is still prevalent throughout Canada,” it said. “Nearly a third of respondents, 31%, agree that ‘lack of self-control is usually what causes a dependence upon or addition to opioids’ and one quarter, 26%, say, ‘I negatively judge people who are living with a drug addiction.'”
