Victoria MDs working hard on opioid crisis

Over the past couple of months, I’ve had the opportunity to work with colleagues to plan and attend two learning events to address the opioid crisis in our community.

I was encouraged to see so many of my family-physician colleagues (more than 100) come together to discuss what we can do in our offices to prevent further deaths due to this epidemic. As family physicians, our patients trust us as their frontline care providers, and we have a responsibility to ensure we are providing accurate, up-todate information.

The recent event focused on how to navigate opioids, addiction and pain. We heard patients’ stories, information about the new provincial opioid-disorder treatment guidelines, the College of Physicians and Surgeons’ new safe prescribing standards, how to understand the diagnosis and management options for opioid-use disorder, and opioid reducing and tapering strategies.

Earlier, the Victoria Division of Family Practice held an event focused on buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance therapy for opioid-use disorder. Local resource providers and community partners were also present at both events.

The opioid crisis has rocked our community, and many lives have been ruined. I am proud to see our family-physician community coming together to address the situation through continued education, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving care for patients struggling with mental-health and substance-use issues.

Dr. Bill Bullock, board member Victoria Division of Family Practice