The opioid crisis has always been present, but for a few years it has been gaining ground. Since 2019, there have been 43 deaths related to drug use, including opioids, in Gaspésie.
“There is contamination of substances, the fact that drugs are more toxic. The mixture of substances then take several substances at the same time. Then, the increase in people who consume alone, ”explains the planning agent, Department of Public Health of the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Sophie Arseneault.
Consumers have no typical profile unlike certain stereotypes.
“In fact, it can be a bit anyone. No one is immune to developing a dependence disorder. In real life, it is a woman, a man, a young or older, there is no face to consumption as such, “says the director of the half-chemin of Gaspé, Samuelle Boule-Ste-Croix.
Some opioids are prescribed with a specific dosage, to ensure user safety. However, smuggling products have greater risks.
“Something that is not necessarily prescribed, the risks of overdose are bigger. But, we also find more and more in certain drugs because they are extremely cut and the more a drug is far from the starting point the more it will be cut since it passes into the hands of several people. The more the drug is cut, the more risk there is that there are opioids, ”specifies the half-chemin speaker, Laurie-Anne Lapointe.
The best way to fight prevention is to fight taboos and stigma. The more we talk about it, the more we are ready to help and act according to the control organization with halfway dependencies.
“We also offer help to loved ones. So if someone worries about the consumption of their loved ones, they can come and see us asking the question and knowing how they can help. We are available for that too, ”adds Ms. Boule-Ste-Croix.
Organizations also offer training to act in the event of overdose. Naloxone is not a remedy, but it saves lives temporarily before the arrival of emergency services.
“Yes, it can reverse the effects of an overdose to opioids, but only for a limited period. This is why it is super important to call the emergency services from the moment when there is an overdose to opioids, “continues the half-chemin stakeholder Amy Barriault.
In Gaspésie, there are now an average of 8 deaths by overdose each year. Traces of consumption are more and more visible, even if the problem of opioids has been present for a long time.
