What resources exist for schools?
The School Mental Health ASSIST program (supported through CAMH) – has a selection of print resources about opioids for parents, educators, and youth:
Substance Use
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Where can I get more information about opioids?
If you’re looking for more information on opioids, the following sites are recommended:
Government of Ontario – offers general information on opioids, their harms, and how to find help.
What policies and laws are currently in place in schools?
The use of any opioid which is not prescribed to the person is not legal. It is not legal to sell, buy, or traffic opioids, at any age. These are offences which are enforced by the police.
How do young people get access to prescription opioids?
Most young people report that they access opioids from home. Specifically, in the OSDUHS survey, 59% of students who indicated they had misused prescription opioids said they took them from a parent, sibling, or someone else they live with.
Are there other harmful effects of opioids?
Beyond the risk of overdose, there are other harmful effects and behaviors that can happen with the misuse or abuse of opioids. Some of these behaviors can increase the risk of overdose or lead to other dangerous outcomes.
Who is at risk of an opioid overdose?
Everyone is susceptible to overdose when opioids are misused or abused, or black market drugs are consumed. Every person is different. There is no exact way to know how much of a certain drug, or combination of drugs, will lead to an overdose.
How many young people are using opioids?
In recent years, prescription opioids used non-medicinally have replaced tobacco as the fourth most commonly used drug among Ontario teens (at about 10%), behind alcohol, marijuana, and e-cigarettes.
Why are opioids a concern for youth?
When someone uses opioids improperly or in the wrong dosage, an overdose can happen. Due to the impact opioids have on the portion of the brain that controls breathing, opioid use in higher dosages may lead to difficulty breathing, overdose, and death.
What are opioids?
Opioids are a family of drugs that are used to relieve pain. Opioids are psychoactive substances. This means that they affect your mind, mood, and mental processes and can also induce euphoria, or the feeling of being “high.”, which may lead people to misuse or abuse them.
What resources exist for schools?
Kids Health in the Classroom - Offers activities and lesson support organized by grade range.