Canada's youth facing growing opioid crisis: Calls for urgent action

Canada's Youth and the Opioid Crisis

Canada's youth are increasingly affected by the opioid crisis, with rising rates of misuse and overdose.

A recent commentary in the CMAJ highlights that current treatment and prevention programs are not sufficient to address the scale of the problem.

Experts are calling for urgent, youth-centered interventions, improved access to care, and stronger support networks to protect young Canadians from the devastating impact of the epidemic.

A survey of 38,488 youth in British Columbia, aged 12-19, found that 14% reported consuming substances other than alcohol and cannabis, according to the 2023 McCreary Adolescent Health Survey.

Authors summarize: Canada needs urgent action.

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Open Access Government Open Access Government — 2025-10-27

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