The federal government tells us that Canada is in the midst of an opioid crisis. These prescribed pain relievers, when used properly, often help. But misuse can cause dependence, overdose and death. Hundreds of people are dying each year on the streets of large cities like Vancouver and Toronto from opioid abuse, but the problem extends across the nation.
The key culprit is fentanyl, a drug so virulent that even trace amounts can kill. It is 100 times more powerful than morphine and an amount the size of a few grains of salt can be lethal. In some cases, fentanyl gets mixed with other drugs or made to look like ‘safe’ pills. The tragic results have reached epidemic levels.
P.E.I. is not immune. Last year, police seized drugs laced with fentanyl on the Island. At least two people suffered fentanyl overdoses and police fear the drugs end up being sold by motorcycle gangs which have recently located to the province.
Against this lethal backdrop, auditor general Jane MacAdam’s 2018 annual report last week presented additional concerns about such drugs and their misuse. She suggests narcotics and sedatives are not being properly tracked and controlled in provincial long-term care facilities. They end up in the wrong hands – being sold on the street by desperate people unaware of possible tragic consequences; or diverted to gangs with little regard for those consequences.
Ms. MacAdam didn’t pull any punches about risks posed to public health and safety, suggesting ‘unidentified diversion’ is taking place - meaning the drugs could be stolen and used inappropriately. Adjustments to medical records led to unexplained drug shortages. There were other irregularities for dispensing narcotics in some nursing homes which increased both the risk to patient safety and the risk of unidentified diversion. Provincial health authorities are supposed to render drugs unusable when disposing of them but a third party hired by Health P.E.I to pick up and dispose of these medications is not licensed by Health Canada and thus the province is not compliant with federal regulations.
The auditor general issued 15 recommendations for changes to improve the control and tracking of addictive meds in nursing homes. It is essential that controls are implemented to protect patients and to reduce misuse or diversion. There must be more accountability. It should be noted that her report didn’t address issues in private care facilities where the misuse of drugs could be as acute.
Health P.E.I. says action has already been taken on some of Ms. MacAdam’s recommendations while the majority will be addressed within the next few months. Ms. MacAdam wryly noted that in the past, her recommendations have sometimes been ignored or delayed. She referred to a 2015 report where she made recommendations and only a small percentage have yet been implemented.
The drug abuse situation outlined by Ms. MacAdam is too serious and potentially fatal to Islanders for government not to follow all of the auditor general’s 15 recommendations. There needs to be more checks and balances and controls in place - immediately.
