Category Page: Abuse of medications and illegal drugs

The abuse of medications occurs when prescriptions or over the counter medications are taken in a way not recommended by a physician or the drug manufacturer. This includes taking too much, taking too little, taking a drug in order to “feel good”/intoxicate oneself, or taking a medication that has been prescribed for somebody else.

The use of certain drugs and their precursors are restricted under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Substances listed include both commonly illegal drugs such as cocaine and crack cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, amphetamines, opiates, ecstasy, and marijuana; and prescription drugs used in an illegal manner such as morphine, oxycodone, benzodiazepines and methadone. Illegal drug use is a complex issue due to the broad spectrum of use and the extensive range of effects. Direct effects include impaired judgment, personality changes, addiction, dependence, overdosing, tolerance, withdrawal, contracting viral diseases from the sharing of contaminated needles, and premature death. Additionally, there may be indirect negative effects to an individual’s mental and physical wellbeing, and secondary harms to their families, friends, and society as a whole. Minimizing the prevalence of harmful drug use, increasing protective factors, and reducing negative health impacts is a shared responsibility across various sectors of society.

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