Drug trafficking problem is on a rise in Canada for the last couple of years. Winnipeg authorities started a full-scale investigation into city`s meth problem. As per Winnipeg Police, there is a spike in meth-related crime incidents, like property theft, residential break-ins, unreasonable anger towards each other (meth users) and other people around them, violent attacks, some ending up in lethal outcomes for victims.
Manitoba paramedics will be the first in Canada to give meth users Olanzapine to reduce the risk of developing psychosis.
The provincial government will allow doctors to inject this medicine to people who have used methamphetamine, Health Minister Cameron Friesen said on Monday, November 26th.
Such antipsychotics can help reduce or prevent the effects of methamphetamine use, such as anxiety experienced by users, said the provincial authorities in a press release. The medicine, which has already been tested in clinical settings, can be used in Manitoba since December.
“We face the growing danger of using methamphetamine and the associated psychosis and aggression and incidents when critical actions are required,” said Dr. Ginette Pulin, medical director of the Manitoba Addiction Fund.
"This medicine will be an important contribution to the response for the devastating effects of methamphetamine use and will provide an opportunity to safely support patients in distress."
Olanzapine is already legally used in pill form in Australia.
Methamphetamine is a real problem in Canada, the majority of people involved are youth and older teenagers. There is a study conducted by Winnipeg Police department about how people on meth are no longer productive, so they have to find other ways to get money to fuel their addiction and get more drugs. People on meth turn to pity theft and other, more serious crimes. Bike theft, residential break-ins, garage theft is now a rising problem in the city.